Hana Williams murder trial: Jury deliberates fate of Larry Williams, Carri Williams
A jury resumes deliberations Monday in the trial of a Washington state couple accused of homicide by abuse in the death of their teenage daughter who was adopted from Ethiopia.
Hana Williams
The case against Larry and Carri Williams went to the jury Friday in Mount Vernon.
The pair was also are charged with manslaughter in the death of Hana Williams in the backyard of the family home in May 2011.
Prosecutors described a “House of Horrors” in closing arguments.
“They both played an integral part in this house of horrors,” Rich Weyrich told the court.
Weyrich summed up in seconds Hana’s death and the alleged abuse of her deaf brother Immanuel.
“They tortured and starved her until she passed away, and they tortured and starved Immanuel Williams,” Weyrich said.
The girl died of hypothermia and malnutrition. Prosecutors say she was starved, beaten and forced outside as punishment.
Larry and Carri Williams also are charged with first-degree child assault, for allegedly abusing their son who also was adopted in 2008 from Ethiopia.
They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Defense lawyers told jurors that questionable parenting practices don’t necessarily amount to a crime.
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