Post by pchallinor on Nov 2, 2011 5:40:42 GMT
OREGON CITY – Dale and Shannon Hickman tightly embraced and trembled in tears Thursday after a Clackamas County jury found them guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the faith-healing death of their newborn son.
Jurors deliberated less than four hours and their verdict sent another resounding warning to the members of the Hickmans' church, the Followers of Christ, that failing to provide medical care to critically ill children is unacceptable and will be punished.
The Followers have a long history of children dying from treatable medical conditions, and Oregon has a history of granting legal protections to faith healers.
But because of a recent change in state law, the Hickmans could be the last Oregon parents to receive special consideration when they are sentenced Oct. 31.
Defense attorneys argued that their clients were being prosecuted for their religious views.
The jury found the Hickmans' defense unpersuasive and flawed, said jury foreman Collin Fleming. And the testimony of the Hickmans and other family members worked against them, he said.
The Hickmans' son, David, was born two months prematurely and lived less than nine hours. An autopsy found he had staph pneumonia and underdeveloped lungs.
A pediatric expert who testified at the 10-day trial said the baby had a 99.9 percent chance of surviving if he had been taken to a hospital -- the standard response for premature babies born at home. Even defense medical experts agreed hospitalization was the right choice.
The Hickmans said they knew the baby was born early but believed he would survive. When he turned blue, gasped for breath and lost consciousness, the Hickmans prayed but did not attempt to get medical help.
In three recent cases, parents from Oregon City's Followers of Christ church were held criminally responsible for failing to provide medical care for their children.
Raylene and Carl Brent Worthington: Fifteen-month-old Ava Worthington died March 2, 2008, at her parents' home of bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. Her parents conducted faith-healing rituals but never sought medical treatment. Carl Worthington was convicted of misdemeanor criminal mistreatment and sentenced to two months in jail. Raylene Worthington was acquitted on all charges. Jeffrey and Marci Beagley: 15-year-old Neil Beagley, brother of Raylene Worthington, became ill from a urinary tract blockage and died two weeks later in June 2008. The Beagleys said they followed their son's wishes in treating him only with prayer and faith healing. Both parents were convicted of criminally negligent homicide and sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Full article Via The Judge
Jurors deliberated less than four hours and their verdict sent another resounding warning to the members of the Hickmans' church, the Followers of Christ, that failing to provide medical care to critically ill children is unacceptable and will be punished.
The Followers have a long history of children dying from treatable medical conditions, and Oregon has a history of granting legal protections to faith healers.
But because of a recent change in state law, the Hickmans could be the last Oregon parents to receive special consideration when they are sentenced Oct. 31.
Defense attorneys argued that their clients were being prosecuted for their religious views.
The jury found the Hickmans' defense unpersuasive and flawed, said jury foreman Collin Fleming. And the testimony of the Hickmans and other family members worked against them, he said.
The Hickmans' son, David, was born two months prematurely and lived less than nine hours. An autopsy found he had staph pneumonia and underdeveloped lungs.
A pediatric expert who testified at the 10-day trial said the baby had a 99.9 percent chance of surviving if he had been taken to a hospital -- the standard response for premature babies born at home. Even defense medical experts agreed hospitalization was the right choice.
The Hickmans said they knew the baby was born early but believed he would survive. When he turned blue, gasped for breath and lost consciousness, the Hickmans prayed but did not attempt to get medical help.
In three recent cases, parents from Oregon City's Followers of Christ church were held criminally responsible for failing to provide medical care for their children.
Raylene and Carl Brent Worthington: Fifteen-month-old Ava Worthington died March 2, 2008, at her parents' home of bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. Her parents conducted faith-healing rituals but never sought medical treatment. Carl Worthington was convicted of misdemeanor criminal mistreatment and sentenced to two months in jail. Raylene Worthington was acquitted on all charges. Jeffrey and Marci Beagley: 15-year-old Neil Beagley, brother of Raylene Worthington, became ill from a urinary tract blockage and died two weeks later in June 2008. The Beagleys said they followed their son's wishes in treating him only with prayer and faith healing. Both parents were convicted of criminally negligent homicide and sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Full article Via The Judge