Baby's death 'could happen to anybody,' defence lawyer argues in parents' trial
Those who have an interest in seeing Jennifer and Jeromie Clark convicted in the death of their baby boy were compared to an torch-carrying mob by a defence lawyer for the couple, who told jurors they should find the couple not guilty.
"It's the sort of thing that could happen to anybody," said Jennifer's lawyer John Phillips in his closing argument Tuesday.
"In our society, we try not to just act like an angry mob grabbing at pitchforks and torches and heading off to the windmill to kill the monster all fired up by a story alleged by one side."
Jennifer, 41, and Jeromie, 38, are each charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life to their 14-month-old son John, who died in 2013 form what doctors said was a staph infection and malnutrition.
Died within 24 hours
When John was brought to hospital in November 2013, he was "close to death," according to one doctor.
According to multiple doctors, the child had four toes black with gangrene, he was hypothermic and a blistering rash covered 70 per cent of his tiny, undersized body.
John died less than 24 hours later after arriving at the hospital.
A forensic analysis of the couple's computer showed internet searches in the days before John's death done on natural remedies for gangrene and rash treatment.
Doctors have also testified the boy would have been ill for weeks and likely should have seen a doctor months earlier because of severe developmental delays — John couldn't pull himself up or crawl and was in the first percentile for his height.
"That one-sided presentation sure would sound pretty damning, but it is a good example of why we have trials in our legal system," Phillips said of the Crown's case.
Defence blames doctors
Phillips said the Clarks brought him to hospital without delay and believed doctors would make John better.
Defence lawyers have blamed hospital staff for causing the severely dehydrated baby's death by correcting his saline levels too quickly.
Photos taken inside the Clarks home showed organic baby food, vitamins and fruits and vegetables in the cupboards and fridge, Phillips reminded jurors, suggesting the Clarks were attempting to feed John: "These are health conscious people."
Jeromie's lawyer will make his closing arguments to jurors after Phillips is finished.
Prosecutors Shane Parker and Jennifer Crews — who have not yet had the chance to make their final submissions to the jury — called 15 witnesses, many of them doctors and medical experts who said if the child was brought to hospital earlier, he would have survived.
