Fourth Murder Trial Underway for Clinton Township Grandmother

The fourth trial of a former Clinton Township grandmother accused of drowning her grandson in 2010 could draw to a close as early as today.

Terry Borgia, 63, faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse and involuntary manslaughter, according to court records. Prosecutor's added the manslaughter charge for this trial to give jurors a more clear cut option during deliberations.

"We eliminated the need for the jury to look at whether she planned it. We’re going strictly with what she acknowledged she did," The Macomb Daily quoted assistant Macomb prosecutor William Cataldo as saying following his opening statement this week in Macomb County Circuit Court.

Borgia is accused of drowning her 4-year-old grandson, DeAngelo Tobia, in January 2010 in the bathtub of her Clinton Township apartment. At the time of Tobia's death, Borgia was living with her daughter, Tonina. 

Borgia’s defense attorney has continued to argue that his client is covering up for Tonina, but Cataldo maintains that she is "being made the scapegoat," according to The Macomb Daily.

Legal issues and a hung jury lead to Borgia's three previous trials being declared mistrials. 

The current jury trial is scheduled to continue at 8:30 a.m. Friday in circuit court.