Mom on trial in autistic son's death in NYC hotel

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The murder trial began today for Gigi Jordan, accused of killing her 8-year old autistic son in a New York City hotel room back in February 2010.

Prosecutors say Jordan, 54, forced her son to ingest a toxic mix of painkillers, other dugs, and vodka, and then afterwards transferred money out of his trust fund.

Her lawyers claim the pharmaceuticals entrepreneur was driven by fear desperation to kill the boy and then try to kill herself. She believed her life was in danger because of a financial conflict and that her son was vulnerable to a man who abused him, according to her lawyers. They say she felt murder-suicide was the only solution.

The Manhattan Assistant District Attorney told jurors that Jordan's concerns didn't justify killing her son.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.