Therapists convicted in death of young girl
Therapists convictedin death of young girl
GOLDEN, Colo. -- Two therapists were convicted Friday of reckless child abuse in the death of a young girl who begged for her life while wrapped in a flannel sheet during a rebirthing therapy session.
A jury deliberated for about five hours before returning the verdict.
As it was read, Julie Ponder, 40, stared straight ahead, closed her eyes and fought tears. Connell Watkins, 54, showed little emotion.
They face up to 48 years in prison when sentenced.
Watkins also was convicted of unlawfully practicing psychotherapy, criminal impersonation and obtaining a signature by deception. Each count carries a maximum 18-month sentence.
Candace Newmaker, 10, died on April 19, 2000, one day after undergoing the therapy session at Watkins' Evergreen clinic. The coroner ruled Candace died of asphyxiation. The defense argued other factors may have caused her death.
Candace was being treated at Watkins' Evergreen office for reactive detachment disorder, an inability to form loving relationships because of early trauma.
She was wrapped in a flannel sheet to simulate a womb while four adults pushed against her with pillows. The hope was that she would emerge "reborn" to bond with her adoptive mother, Jeane Newmaker of Durham, N.C.
Federal judge blockspublication of novel
ATLANTA -- A federal judge blocked the publication of a novel he said borrows too liberally from "Gone With the Wind" and infringes on the copyright of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel.
U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell ruled Friday that Alice Randall's novel "The Wind Done Gone" is essentially a retelling of "Gone With the Wind" from a different point of view using the same fictional characters and places.
Randall's story, Pannell wrote, "constitutes unabated piracy of 'Gone With the Wind."' The publisher, Houghton Mifflin, said it will appeal.
Randall, whose book was scheduled for publication in June, argued that her story, told from the point of view of Scarlett O'Hara's mulatto half-sister on the plantation Tata, was a political parody.
Hunt for arsonists
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Firefighters doused hot spots and homeowners cleared charred debris Friday as authorities hunted for whoever set several fires that roared across thousands of acres in southwestern Florida.
Two houses were destroyed and dozens were damaged. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
"We have no clue if it's one person or a gang initiation, or what," police Capt. Dale Goodpasture said.
Authorities assume the fires are the work of "perverted jerks," Goodpasture said.
Several fires were set Thursday, stretching 250 firefighters so thin they had to concentrate on areas where homes were threatened.
In Charlotte County alone, seven blazes broke out within a 90-minute period, scorching 1,700 acres.
Restrictions lifted
WOOTTON, England -- In a tangible sign that Britain is making progress against foot-and-mouth disease, Northamptonshire has become the first British county to shed its "infected area" status.
"This is a massive relief to farmers who have animals in this area," said Tom Griffiths, a Northamptonshire farmer whose 500 sheep were slaughtered when foot-and-mouth was found on his farm shortly after the epidemic began in February.
His animals were the only ones in the county to contract foot-and-mouth disease, and neighbors rejoiced Friday over the news that the livestock ailment has been stamped out in this central English landscape of gentle emerald hills and stone houses.
Associated Press