The testimony in an aggravated manslaughter case against a woman accused of killing her child begins today.

  • Testimony begins in manslaughter case against mother
  • Dianna Marr accused of killing 4-year-old son
  • Alexander, 4, died from brutal beating in 2015

Dianna Marr is charged in the death of her 4-year-old son, Alexander Marr. 

According to the medical examiner, the child died after being beaten about the head and torso, leaving him with a fractured skull, brain trauma, and a lacerated liver. 

Alexander died on his 4th birthday on April 12, 2015. 

Manatee County deputies were called to the boy's home in Bradenton after his mother Dianna Marr and her live-in-boyfriend, Trevor Cardarelle, realized the boy was unresponsive. 

Marr was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child 18-years-old or younger by culpable negligence. 

Cardarelle was also charged with aggravated manslaughter by culpable negligence, but a jury in October found him guilty of a lesser charge of culpable negligence. 

He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and given credit for time served. 

Potential jurors were questioned Monday and Tuesday in the case against Marr. 

According to our partners at the Bradenton Herald, Marr began to sob as several jurors expressed difficulties in giving her a fair trail, based on what she is charged with. 

Among those scheduled to testify during the trial this week is Alexander's sister, who Marr has been barred from seeing since her arrest after a judge ordered her to have no direct contact with minors. 

If convicted, Marr would face up to 30 years in prison.