Jury finds father accused of killing son guilty

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - A jury has found an Orange County man, accused of beating his 5-year-old son to death, guilty of first-degree murder.

Prosecutors argued that Darell Avant Sr. became so frustrated with his son’s bad behavior, he beat him until he had dozens of bruises, fractured ribs, and tears in organs.  The child died Dec. 18, 2013.

The jury will return Monday to begin

The penalty phase of Avant’s trial begins on Monday, during which time the same jury will decide whether he should be sentenced to life in prison or face the death penalty.