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Saturday, August 01, 2009

25 Years for Faith-Healing Father

A sentence comes down for the death of 11 year-old Madeline Kara Neumann, whose parents chose prayer instead of medical care for their daughter.

Associated Press:

Dale NeumannDale Neumann, 47, was convicted in the March 23, 2008, death of his daughter, Madeline, from undiagnosed diabetes. Prosecutors contended he should have rushed the girl to a hospital because she couldn't walk, talk, eat or drink. Instead, Madeline died on the floor of the family's rural Weston home as people surrounded her and prayed. Someone called 911 when she stopped breathing.

Sitting straight in his chair, Neumann stared at the jury as the verdict in a nearly empty courtroom was read. He declined comment as he left the courthouse.

Defense attorney Jay Kronenwetter said the verdict would be appealed. He declined further comment.


Appeal? Why not just trust in the Almighty and pray? I guess when it's his ass that's on the line...

Neumann faces up 25 years for second-degree reckless homicide. He deserves that.

Assistant District Attorney LaMont Jacobson told jurors in closing arguments Friday that Neumann was "overwhelmed by pride" in his interpretation of the Bible and selfishly let Madeline die as a test of faith.

Neumann knew he should have taken his daughter to a doctor and minimized her illness when speaking with investigators, Jacobson said, calling Neumann no different than a drunken driver who remarks he only had a couple of beers.

Doctors testified that Madeline would have had a good chance of survival if she had received medical care, including insulin and fluids, before she stopped breathing.


Her mother, Leilani, was convicted earlier this year.

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