Faith-healing trial to bring Followers of Christ church back into spotlight
A couple whose reliance on faith healing threatened their daughter's eyesight will go on trial this week in Clackamas County.
The case returns the spotlight on Followers of Christ church, an Oregon City congregation that rejects medical care in favor of spiritual treatment. Timothy and Rebecca Wyland are charged with first-degree criminal mistreatment for failing to seek medical care for their daughter, Alayna, now 18 months old.
In the past two years, Clackamas County prosecuted two other couples from the same church whose children died from untreated ailments.
Alayna's left eye was affected by a hemangioma -- an abnormal buildup of blood vessels -- that put pressure on the eye. That, combined with a lack of light and stimulation, left her nearly blind. She has since improved under court-ordered medical treatment.
Previous coverage
The Wyland case.
The Followers of Christ church.
The Wylands, like most members of their congregation, embrace faith-healing and the power of God to treat disease and medical conditions. Alayna was treated with prayer and anointed with oil.
The Oregon Department of Human Services took temporary custody of the child in July.
The Wylands' candor about their beliefs and the care they gave Alayna could pose problems for them at trial.
The couple's attorneys, Mark Cogan and John Neidig, tried unsuccessfully to prevent testimony from doctors, a detective, child-welfare workers who interviewed the couple.
The defense team tried earlier this month to exclude testimony the Wylands gave under oath during a juvenile court dependency hearing last year and the testimony of two pediatricians -- specialists in child abuse and neglect -- who examined Alayna and spoke to the Wylands.While many consumers have switched from Led down light traditional filament light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs,
Clackamas County Circuit Judge Jeffrey S. Jones denied the motions.Compact fluorescent light bulbs convert a led tube considerably higher percentage of their energy into light, which is why they are significantly more energy efficient than traditional filament bulbs.
When the state took custody of Alayna in July 2010, Timothy Wyland told a detective that he had not sought any medical treatment for growing mass that covered Alayna's eye,Compact fluorescent light bulbs convert a led tube considerably higher percentage of their energy into light, which is why they are significantly more energy efficient than traditional filament bulbs. according to court records. Timothy Wyland allegedly told investigators that God was the family's physician and they would not seek medical care because it would conflict with their religious beliefs. Rebecca Wyland made similar comments to authorities, according to court records.
Cogan, who represents Timothy Wyland, downplayed the significance of the statements.
"The law sets a very high standard of proof," Cogan said. Prosecutors must convince jurors that the Wylands "knowingly denied their child of necessary and adequate medical care," Cogan said.
Criminal mistreatment in the first degree is a Class C felony that carries a sentence of up to five years in prison. Oregon law requires a 10-2 verdict to convict.
Jury selection starts Tuesday and could take the rest of the week. Jurors will face scrutiny by the defense team, who will ask to what extent news coverage the arrest and prosecution of Followers of Christ members has influenced their opinions of church members.While using compact fluorescent light bulbs energy saving light helps conserve energy, it is important that the bulbs are collected and recycled properly to protect our environmentUse LED light bulbs in Book scanner utility areas, such as hallways and basements, to reduce power consumption while not sacrificing light quality in the most lived in areas of your house.
The trials of two other couples who belong to the church received national coverage. Raylene and Carl Brent Worthington were found not guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the death of their daughter, Ava, who died of bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. Brent Worthington was convicted of the lesser charge of criminal mistreatment and sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Jeff and Marci Beagley were convicted of criminally negligent homicide last year and sentenced to 16 months in prison. Their 16-year-old son, Neil, died of complications from an untreated urinary tract blockage.
The Followers of Christ have a long history of children dying from treatable medical conditions. Outrage over the deaths led Oregon legislators a decade ago to restrict but not eliminate parents' ability to use a religious defense in such cases. Legislation now under consideration would strip the remaining religious exemptions in Oregon law.
The House approved the legislation and the Senate is expected to pass a similar bill this week. The legislation has no effect on the Wyland case.
A couple whose reliance on faith healing threatened their daughter's eyesight will go on trial this week in Clackamas County.
The case returns the spotlight on Followers of Christ church, an Oregon City congregation that rejects medical care in favor of spiritual treatment. Timothy and Rebecca Wyland are charged with first-degree criminal mistreatment for failing to seek medical care for their daughter, Alayna, now 18 months old.
In the past two years, Clackamas County prosecuted two other couples from the same church whose children died from untreated ailments.
Alayna's left eye was affected by a hemangioma -- an abnormal buildup of blood vessels -- that put pressure on the eye. That, combined with a lack of light and stimulation, left her nearly blind. She has since improved under court-ordered medical treatment.
Previous coverage
The Wyland case.
The Followers of Christ church.
The Wylands, like most members of their congregation, embrace faith-healing and the power of God to treat disease and medical conditions. Alayna was treated with prayer and anointed with oil.
The Oregon Department of Human Services took temporary custody of the child in July.
The Wylands' candor about their beliefs and the care they gave Alayna could pose problems for them at trial.
The couple's attorneys, Mark Cogan and John Neidig, tried unsuccessfully to prevent testimony from doctors, a detective, child-welfare workers who interviewed the couple.
The defense team tried earlier this month to exclude testimony the Wylands gave under oath during a juvenile court dependency hearing last year and the testimony of two pediatricians -- specialists in child abuse and neglect -- who examined Alayna and spoke to the Wylands.While many consumers have switched from Led down light traditional filament light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs,
Clackamas County Circuit Judge Jeffrey S. Jones denied the motions.Compact fluorescent light bulbs convert a led tube considerably higher percentage of their energy into light, which is why they are significantly more energy efficient than traditional filament bulbs.
When the state took custody of Alayna in July 2010, Timothy Wyland told a detective that he had not sought any medical treatment for growing mass that covered Alayna's eye,Compact fluorescent light bulbs convert a led tube considerably higher percentage of their energy into light, which is why they are significantly more energy efficient than traditional filament bulbs. according to court records. Timothy Wyland allegedly told investigators that God was the family's physician and they would not seek medical care because it would conflict with their religious beliefs. Rebecca Wyland made similar comments to authorities, according to court records.
Cogan, who represents Timothy Wyland, downplayed the significance of the statements.
"The law sets a very high standard of proof," Cogan said. Prosecutors must convince jurors that the Wylands "knowingly denied their child of necessary and adequate medical care," Cogan said.
Criminal mistreatment in the first degree is a Class C felony that carries a sentence of up to five years in prison. Oregon law requires a 10-2 verdict to convict.
Jury selection starts Tuesday and could take the rest of the week. Jurors will face scrutiny by the defense team, who will ask to what extent news coverage the arrest and prosecution of Followers of Christ members has influenced their opinions of church members.While using compact fluorescent light bulbs energy saving light helps conserve energy, it is important that the bulbs are collected and recycled properly to protect our environmentUse LED light bulbs in Book scanner utility areas, such as hallways and basements, to reduce power consumption while not sacrificing light quality in the most lived in areas of your house.
The trials of two other couples who belong to the church received national coverage. Raylene and Carl Brent Worthington were found not guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the death of their daughter, Ava, who died of bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. Brent Worthington was convicted of the lesser charge of criminal mistreatment and sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Jeff and Marci Beagley were convicted of criminally negligent homicide last year and sentenced to 16 months in prison. Their 16-year-old son, Neil, died of complications from an untreated urinary tract blockage.
The Followers of Christ have a long history of children dying from treatable medical conditions. Outrage over the deaths led Oregon legislators a decade ago to restrict but not eliminate parents' ability to use a religious defense in such cases. Legislation now under consideration would strip the remaining religious exemptions in Oregon law.
The House approved the legislation and the Senate is expected to pass a similar bill this week. The legislation has no effect on the Wyland case.
沒有留言:
張貼留言