Sentencing hearing to continue for Calgary couple convicted in son’s death

Jurors saw photos of the dead boy with a red rash all over his body and with blackened toes.

They were also shown screen shots of online searches for natural remedies for gangrene such as cabbage leaves and cayenne.

At the start of their sentencing hearing in February, the Clarks spoke of the deep sorrow they felt over John’s death.

The rest of the hearing was postponed until today because a pre-sentencing report had not been submitted. There was no agreed statement of facts, because the defence and the Crown had contradictory views of John’s cause of death.

A forensic pathologist’s report said the boy was malnourished and died from a staph infection. The Crown said he was on the verge of death by the time his parents took him to hospital.

The couple’s lawyers argued that doctors at the Alberta Children’s Hospital were to blame because they raised the boy’s sodium and fluid levels too aggressively.

Neither the Crown nor the defence have indicated the length of sentence they are seeking. A conviction of criminal negligence causing death carries a maximum life sentence.

David Stephan, who with his wife Collet are to be tried a second time next week in the 2012 death of their son, sat in the gallery with a notebook during much of the Clarks’ trial.

Stephan posted several Facebook videos from outside the courthouse decrying what he sees as the unfair treatment of the Clarks.

The Stephans were found guilty in 2016 of failing to provide the necessaries of life to 19-month-old Ezekiel, who died from meningitis. The Supreme Court of Canada overturned their conviction last year and ordered a new trial.

Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Sentencing hearing to continue for Calgary couple convicted in son’s death

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