By Peter Kranenburg
A Springville couple accused of killing their 4-year-old daughter listened Friday as witnesses testified about what a loving child she was.
Richard Killpack, 37, and Jenette Killpack, 29, are accused of causing the death of their daughter after forcing her to drink too much water on June 9, 2002. The death is considered the first ?water intoxication? death in the state of Utah.
Family friends and others who knew Cassandra Killpack told the jury she was a child ?full of love? when she first arrived in the Killpack home.
Dave Stauffer, a resident of Orem, had Cassandra in his home before the Killpacks adopted her. He said he had no behavioral problems with Cassandra during the time she lived with his family. Stauffer currently fosters two children diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), the same disorder the Killpacks were administering water therapy to Cassandra for.
RAD occurs when a child fails to bond with its mother shortly after birth. Symptoms can include destructive behavior, urination problems, the child playing with its own feces and a fascination with water.
Dale Green, former neighbor of the Killpacks, said he and his family spent a lot of time with the Killpacks. He said he never noticed any extreme behavioral problems from Cassandra, but was aware that Jenette was having a hard time bonding with Cassandra and felt it was because of Cassandra?s RAD.
Andra Green, Dale?s wife, also testified Friday. She said the Killpacks treated Cassandra different from their older daughter. Cassandra was not allowed to go out and play the way her sister did. When she asked Jenette why, Jenette told her Cassandra had ?problems? and they treated her different because they were trying to help her.
The most disturbing testimony of the day came from another neighbor, Maria Wilkey, a friend of Jenette?s who served in their ward?s primary presidency.
Wilkey said Cassandra was ?very loving and warm at first,? but became cold and withdrawn by the time the Killpacks moved to their new home. She said Cassandra would be a kid when she was not around her parents, but appeared to be afraid and ?would try to be a good girl? whenever her parents were around.
Wilkey also told the jury of an incident that happened in September or October of 1999. Richard Killpack called her while he was away in Texas, asking her to go to the house and visit Jenette because she was upset. Wilkey found Jenette in tears because she had strangled Cassandra for not swallowing her food. Wilkey said there were bruises on each side of Cassandra?s neck around her collarbone.
Wilkey also said Jenette had told her she didn?t know if she wanted to keep Cassandra after taking her to an LDS temple.
The jury watched a videotape of a police interview with the Killpacks 7-year-old daughter on Wednesday. The girl told of how she helped her mother tie Cassandra?s hands behind her back so they could make her drink water as punishment for sneaking a sip of her younger sister?s juice.
The week also included testimony from Todd Grey, the state?s medical examiner, former Springville police detective Dean Pettersson, and the three EMTs who responded to the 911 call on June 9.
The trial continues Monday morning.