Trial begins in murder of toddler in Granite City

More than four years after 21-month-old Jasean Rusher died, his mother’s boyfriend is on trial this week for his murder.

Jury selection took most of Monday in the murder trial of John Holmon III, who is accused of beating his then-girlfriend’s toddler to death.

Jasean Rusher was found dead at home on Sept. 10, 2012. His mother was attending her first day of cosmetology school while his grandmother volunteered at a local mission, according to news reports. But by 1 p.m., Granite City Police had been summoned to the house and Jasean was taken to Gateway Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy later concluded that he died of blunt trauma to the head.

Holmon was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder, which could carry a sentence of up to 100 years or life in prison. He has remained in custody since then. The trial previously was set for the fall, but then was continued to February.

Opening arguments are expected to begin Tuesday.

This story was originally published February 8, 2016 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Trial begins in murder of toddler in Granite City."