Jury selection begins for retrial of man accused in death of his daughter

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A Gwinnett County father accused of child abuse will face a new trial Monday in the death of his 8-year-old daughter after a mistrial last week.

Jury selection begins Monday morning at the Gwinnett County Justice Center in Lawrenceville.

Cledir Barros' eight-year-old daughter Sayra was beaten to death in January. According to investigators, the child's stepmother hit Sayra in the neck with a wooden rolling pin about 10 to 20 times.

Sayra's stepmother was charged with murder. Prosecutors, meanwhile, argue that Barros is partially responsible for his daughter's death. They say that after learning that his daughter had been beaten, he came home and allegedly prayed for her for 10 to 20 minutes before calling 911.

This case was brought to court earlier this month. Barros testified on the witness stand that he was a man of faith and had not harmed his daughter.

“I have never seen a rolling pin used in my house in my life. We have never used anything in my presence that could harm the children,” Cledir Barros said on the witness stand. “What my wife did was wrong and she must face the consequences. So I forgave her because I know the cause of xxx… but I do not justify what she does.”

The jury deliberated but was unable to reach a verdict, so the judge declared the trial invalid.

A new judge will rehear the case.

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