Third 'Baby Lollipops' murder trial begins

Ana Maria Cardona accused of killing 3-year-old son in 1990

MIAMI – Opening statements began Monday in the third trial of a Miami woman accused of killing her 3-year-old son in what became known as the "Baby Lollipops" case.

Ana Maria Cardona faces life in prison if convicted of murder in the death of Lazaro Figueroa.
The boy's body was discovered in the bushes of a Miami Beach home in November 1990. He had been badly beaten and weighed just 18 pounds.

Police initially couldn't identify the boy, calling him "Baby Lollipops" because of a design on his T-shirt.

Two previous convictions and death sentences were tossed out by the Florida Supreme Court. The most recent decision in February 2016 came after the justices deemed a new trial was necessary because of the prosecutor's "numerous improper closing arguments" that "repeatedly crossed the line."

Police initially couldn't identify the boy, calling him "Baby Lollipops" because of a design on his T-shirt.

Cardona was initially convicted and sentenced to death in 1992, but the Supreme Court overturned the conviction because prosecutors failed to disclose key evidence to the defense.

Prosecutors have decided against seeking the death penalty this time.

Cardona has said the boy's death was an accident.