Kevin Goforth enters court on Monday morning. Photo by Manfred Joehnck
EDITORS NOTE: This story contains graphic details that may disturb some readers.
A Regina man says he remembers very little about his interviews with Regina police after the two little girls he was caring for were hospitalized.
Kevin Goforth, 40, and his wife Tammy, 39, are on trial for second-degree murder and causing bodily harm, related to the starvation and neglect of the two sisters.
As the last witness at the couple’s trial, Kevin testified that police were right in his face and were putting words in his mouth. He said he was not telling them the truth, but he was not sure what he told them.
In the police interview he said a string was used to tie the bedroom door on the girl’s room on occasion. During the trial he testified he did remember seeing the string on the door.
He also testified the girls were never restrained, struck, confined, deprived of food, and there was never any intent to harm them.
As for seeking medical attention for them, Kevin stated he and Tammy were waiting for social services to get health cards for them so they would be covered
Under cross-examination, prosecutor Dana Brûlé said “day to day health care of the girls was your responsibility and yet you did nothing.”
Goforth responded “I did not.”
Those afternoon questions were a lot tougher for Kevin, when compared to the trial’s morning questioning.
In the morning, Kevin testified he loved the girls and wanted nothing but the best for them.
On the witness stand, Kevin said at first he was reluctant to take the girls in but said his heart melted when he met them.
He described the girls as slender but beautiful. Suppertime at the family home was important and the girls were always part of it, he testified, saying they were both big eaters.
“They were never, ever, ever denied food” Goforth said, by either him or his wife.
He also told the trial the girls were part of their Sunday tradition of going to church and were often taken to the park to play.
The girls did not always get along and often got into fights over toys, Goforth testified. He said their speech development was also very limited
During the nine months the girls lived with him he had no contact with either their case worker or the social services department, Goforth said.
On Aug. 1, 2012, both girls were rushed to hospital suffering severe malnutrition and covered in bruises.
The four-year-old died while the two-year-old recovered.
Kevin is the final witness in the trial which is now into its third week.
Closing arguments are expected to be heard on Tuesday and the case could in the hands of the jury by Wednesday.