The Weston mother convicted in the prayer death of her 11-year-old daughter last spring testified that she and her husband did not take the girl to a doctor because it would have shown “complete disobedience” to their faith in God.
Leilani Neumann testified Tuesday morning at the trial of her husband Dale. He is charged with second-degree reckless homicide for choosing prayer over medicine as Madeline Kara Neumann died from untreated diabetes.
“We felt we were within our legal right to pray for our daughter,” Leilani Neumann said, adding that the family never considered taking her to a doctor as they discussed the girl's worsening condition last Easter Sunday.
Neumann told a jury of eight men and six women that she agreed to let a friend call 911 when Kara stopped breathing because they needed “some other intervention.”
Neumann testified that sickness is caused by sin and can be cured by God. She also testified that the reason Kara may have been sick was because of a falling out with fellow business partners and Bible study members Althea and Randall Wormgoor.
Prosecutors granted Neumann immunity, meaning nothing she says can be used against her at future court proceedings, like her October 6th sentencing hearing.
Neumann's testimony consumed the whole morning court session. Judge Vincent Howard appeared testy during a mid-morning break in which he said night court sessions would be possible to wrap up testimony by Friday.
The defense is expected to cross-examine Leilani Neumann this afternoon.
AUDIO: Leilani Neumann (1:05 MP3)
