OSSIPEE - The trial of a former Albany man accused of seriously beating a 2-year-old boy last year is scheduled to begin today in Carroll County Superior Court.

Justin Roy, 34, is standing trial on multiple felony charges connected to the beating that left the toddler son of Roy's ex-girlfriend, Heather Downs, near death.

The boy sustained serious abdominal injuries, spent several weeks at the Maine Medical Center, but has since recovered. He and his younger siblings are in the care of grandparents and his biological father in Maine.

Roy was arrested in April 2012 following a three-and-a-half-month investigation into the assaults that were reported Dec. 19, 2011.

Downs was living with Roy and her three children, a baby boy, the two-year-old victim, and a seven-year-old son, at a mobile home for three months prior to the alleged assaults.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Carroll County Attorney Robin Gordon confirmed that a pool of 12 jurors and two alternates were chosen after several hours of selection.
The Roy trial is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with a preview statement from the judge, followed by a bus trip to the residence in Albany, Roy's mother's mobile home and shed, where the assaults allegedly took place.

Gordon said the judge in the case, Justice Steve Houran, also plans on hearing opening arguments today if time allows.

Deputy County Attorney Susan Boone is prosecuting the case for the state. Defense attorneys Wade Harwood and Howard Clapman of the New Hampshire Public Defenders office in Laconia are representing Roy.

lmulkern@newstote.com