|
April 3, 2001
Lawyers: Rebirthing Therapists Unaware Of
Girl's Heart Problem:
Mother Scheduled To Testify Tuesday
Two therapists accused in the death of a
10-year-old girl whom they wrapped in a flannel sheet did not know
the girl had a heart problem, defense lawyers said Monday.
Therapists Connell Watkins, 54, and Julie
Ponder, 40, are charged with child abuse resulting in the death of
10-year-old Candace Newmaker, who was supposed to wiggle out of the
sheet during a so-called rebirthing therapy. If convicted, they each
could face up to 48 years in prison.
The girl's mother, slated to testify for the
prosecution and the defense, was expected to take the stand Tuesday
against the therapists.
Jeane Newmaker, 47, of Durham, N.C., adopted
Candace in June 1996 and learned the girl was diagnosed with
reactive attachment disorder, where a child resists forming loving
relationships and can become unmanageable and violent.
Last April Newmaker took Candace to Watkins,
known for her work with children with the disorder.
A 70-minute videotape of a therapy session in
Watkins' home shows Candace crying out as she tries to escape the
blanket meant to represent a womb. She died of asphyxiation on April
19, 2000, one day after the therapy session.
Prosecutors say that the therapists also shook
Candace violently and shouted in her face, but the defense argued
against allegations the therapists smothered Candace.
The videotape is expected to be shown in court
at the end of the week.
Emergency personnel and law enforcement
officers who responded to the home were expected to testify Tuesday
morning.
Brita St. Clair, 42, Watkins' business manager,
also could take the stand later this week. She and intern Jack
McDaniel were both present for the rebirthing therapy and face child
abuse charges. They will be tried in September.
Jeanne Newmaker, facing a lesser charge of
criminally negligent child abuse resulting in death, is scheduled
for trial in November.
|
