Judge: No Religion-Based Testimony In Trial Of NJ Woman Accused Of Starving Daughter
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Attorneys for a New Jersey woman accused of killing her 8-year-old daughter can't argue that her religious practices were linked to her "diminished capacity,'' a judge ruled Wednesday.
Krisla Rezireksyon, 34, (also known as Venette Ovilde) and her roommate, Myriam Janvier, 27, have pleaded not guilty in the death of Christina Glenn, who was found dead in the family's Irvington apartment in May 2011. Glenn was severely malnourished and had an untreated broken leg, authorities said.
Rezireksyon told investigators that her daughter had fallen while taking a bath and she put sea salt and "cornmeal and salt'' on the girl's leg, according to police. Rezireksyon said she, her two younger children and Janvier prayed over the girl's body for more than an hour before she called 911, according to investigators.
Prosecutors said Glenn and two younger siblings were starved for more than seven months by Rezireksyon and Janvier, who shared responsibility of the children.
In addition to allegedly starving the three kids, Rezireksyon and Janvier would force them to kneel on salt with heavy objects on their heads for hours and would tie Glenn to a radiator, prosecutors said.
Clinical neuropsychologist Joel Morgan, a defense expert, can still testify that Rezireksyon lacked the state of mind needed to be convicted, but will be barred from linking her mental state to her religious beliefs, Superior Court Judge Michael Ravin ruled. Ravin found that the link was speculative and inadmissible, NJ.com reported.
Defense attorney Adrien Moncur argued that the ruling undercuts the defense's theory in the case and that they would likely appeal the decision.
"I have an obligation here to represent my client and that's what I'm going to do,'' Moncur said during the hearing. "We're entitled to a defense and we should not be precluded from making a defense here.''
Rezireksyon was charged with murder, child endangerment and related offenses. Janvier is expected to be tried separately.
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