A appeals are exhausted for a Wisconsin couple found guilty of second-degree reckless homicide, for relying on prayer instead of medical attention for their daughter. Dale and Leilani Neumann appealed their conviction all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the justices decided December 4th not to take the case, affirming the decision of the lower courts.
Attorneys met Tuesday to discuss the Neumann’s options. The defense wants no jail time, while the prosecution wants the Wausau area couple to at least serve the unusual sentence they received from now-retired judge Vincent Howard. That sentence is for each to serve a month in jail each year for six years plus spend ten years on probation. Howard stayed the jail time until the appeals process could be completed.
The Neuman’s daughter, 11-year-old Madeline, died of a common and treatable form of diabetes in March of 2009. Dale and Leilani Neumann will appear before Judge Greg Huber January 30 to find out if they will have to start serving the jail time, and when.
WSAU