REGINA — The defence has opened its case in the trial of a Regina couple charged in the death of a four-year-old girl and the alleged mistreatment of her little sister.
A teenage boy who once stayed in the home of Tammy and Kevin Goforth took the stand today — the first of four defence witnesses who are expected to testify.
The teen told jurors that he was about 12 when he came to live with the family in late 2011.
He testified that although the girls were skinny and shy, they ate their meals with the family.
The siblings were under the Goforths' care when they were rushed to hospital on Aug. 1, 2012, suffering from severe malnutrition.
The older girl was later declared brain dead and taken off life support, while her sister recovered.
The Goforths are facing charges of second-degree murder and causing bodily harm.
On Tuesday, a 14-year-old boy testifying for the Crown said he saw the four-year-old girl's hands being taped to a wall at the home.
The boy also told the court that when he was visiting there in the summer of 2011, both girls were locked in their room for the entire weekend and that he never saw them eat.
The defence and prosecution have previously agreed in a statement of facts that the Goforths did not sexually assault either girl.
The names of the girls are under a publication ban.
Both of the accused are expected to testify.
