A detective says there was evidence a Georgia man accused of killing his toddler son by intentionally leaving him in a hot vehicle wanted freedom from his family. The testimony from Cobb County police Det. Phil Stoddard came during a hearing Monday on pretrial motions in the case of Justin Ross Harris.
Police have said Harris left 22-month-old Cooper in an SUV on a hot day in June 2014. He faces multiple charges, including murder.
Harris’ attorneys have said the death was a tragic accident.
Stoddard testified that Harris had online and in-person affairs and wanted to be free of his family. Under questioning by Harris’ attorney, Stoddard also acknowledged that an underage girl with whom Harris had an online affair said Harris loved his son and wouldn’t leave his wife.