'Prayer Death' Update: Defense Calls No Witnesses; Court Adjourned Until Friday
Madeline Kara Neumann playing in summer of 2007
WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) Attorneys for a Wisconsin woman accused of praying for her dying daughter instead of getting her help have rested their case without calling any witnesses.
Forty-one-year-old Leilani Neumann is charged with second-degree reckless homicide in the March 2008 death of her 11-year-old daughter Madeline from uncontrolled, but treatable, diabetes.
The family prayed over the girl and "fully expected her to be healed" without medical attention. The defense says the Neumanns have the right to believe in the power of prayer.
Judge Vincent Howard ordered the trial to recess until Friday morning.
Prosecutors wrapped up their case earlier Thursday, calling as their last witness a pediatrician who treated 11-year-old Madeline after she was rushed to a hospital.
Dr. Joseph Monaco says medical staff spent about 50 minutes trying to revive the girl even though her heart had stopped. He says her diabetes could have been treated if she'd been brought in earlier.
The girl's father, Dale Neumann, faces the same charge and his trial is in July.