Jury Selection Begins in Child Beating Death Trial | News

BUFFALO, NY - Jury selection begins today in the trial of a former Buffalo News security guard accused of brutally beating his stepson to death.

Prosecutors say Ali Mohamad Mohamud admitted to tying up his 10-year-old stepson Abdi and beating him to death with a rolling pin in the basement of his family's east side home back in April.

The medical examiner said Abdi was struck more than 70 times.

Mohamud faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Local defense attorney and Two On Your Side legal analyst Paul Cambria believes picking a jury will be the longest part of the trial.

"Some people might say they just can't keep an open mind. Others may say they just can't be a part of a case like that.  The emotional part of it is overwhelming. So it will take some time," said Cambria.

A 911 call in April 2011, one year before his death, was one of eight calls to police dating back to 2010. 

A Buffalo Police internal investigation concluded officers handled the calls properly.