Valva trial recap: Key moments in ex-NYPD cop Michael Valva's murder case

Ex-NYPD officer Michael Valva, 43, is on trial for second-degree murder, accused of killing his 8-year-old son Thomas by allegedly forcing the boy to sleep in a freezing garage and then dousing him with cold water from a spigot outside their Center Moriches home on Jan. 17, 2020. He also pleaded not guilty to child endangerment charges in the alleged abuse of Thomas and his 10-year-old brother, Anthony. Michael Valva's ex-fiance, Angela Pollina, 45, has also pleaded not guilty to the same charges and is set to be tried at a later date.

Here's a recap of key moments from the Riverhead courtroom:

THE PROSECUTION'S CASE

During the month-long trial, Suffolk County prosecutors have called more than 25 witnesses – school teachers, emergency responders, police officers and medical professionals – and presented dozens of photographs, as well as videos and text messages to the jury. The evidence detailed the last few years of Thomas’ life, which prosecutors said was marked by alleged starvation, beatings and nights spent sleeping on the garage floor. Among the witnesses and evidence:

THE DEFENSE

Valva's attorneys have argued that Thomas' death was an accident. They have said their client should be found not guilty of the murder because he did not want his son to die and therefore did not show depraved indifference under the law. Valva’s defense maintains that it was Pollina who hated Thomas and Anthony because they were on the autism spectrum and had incontinence issues and she demanded the boys sleep in the garage.

Among the key defense witnesses: