Dad Accused Of Killing Toddlers Heading To Trial

ALLEN PARK (WWJ) - Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of a father who is facing first degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of his two toddlers.

Steven Nicholson is charged with drowning his two young children in the bathtub of his Allen Park apartment last October; 15-month-old Ella Stafford and 13-month-old Jonathon Sanderlin.

The prosecutor in the case calls it "torture." Nicholson's lawyer says the 27-year-old father fell asleep and may have been negligent but contends his client did not kill his children.

The Wayne County Medical Examiner has said it's possible, but unlikely, the children could have turned on the water and entered the bathtub on their own.