A Regina couple accused of child neglect resulting in death and injury, sobbed and embraced one another after the husband wrapped up two gruelling days of testimony at their murder trial.
Kevin and Tammy Goforth are charged with second-degree murder and causing bodily harm. They were caregivers for two sisters – aged two and four – when both girls were rushed to hospital on August 1, 2012.
The four-year-old died as a result of severe malnutrition and dehydration, while the two-year-old girl recovered.
At the trial, Kevin said he and Tammy loved the girls and did all they could for them.
In tearful testimony, Kevin said “I am sorry we couldn’t get them back to health. I thought it was just another time the girls were sickly.”
When they were admitted to hospital the girls each weighed about 23 pounds.
The average weight for a four year old is 40 pounds, while a two-year-old should weigh about 27 pounds. In earlier testimony at the trial, medical experts described the girls as skin over wasted muscle and bones.
During an intense cross-examination, prosecutor Dan Brule used Kevin’s own words to against him. Brule read transcripts of the August 2012 interview between police and Kevin.
During that interview, Kevin told police his wife reached a breaking point a couple of week ago and didn’t care anymore. He also told police his wife used a cargo strap to tie the four-year-old’s feet together and that his wife was responsible for bruises on the girl.
On the witness stand Kevin said he did not remember saying that. He said it was a lie and the cops were putting words in his mouth. At one point, he accused the prosecutor of putting words in his mouth.
Kevin was slow and deliberate in his testimony, thinking very carefully before answering any questions and always facing the jury when answering. On a couple of occasions he wept.
Lawyers will present their closing arguments on Thursday morning. Justice Ellen Gunn will provide her instructions to the jury on Friday morning.
This trial is a little more complicated than most because there are two accused each facing one count of second-degree murder and one count of causing harm.
That means the jury will have to reach unanimous agreement on four separate verdicts. Right now there are 14 jury members – two extra in the event one of the jurors needed to be excused during the three-week trial.
That number will be reduced to 12 by a random draw before the jury retires to consider its decision.