Mom in prayer death case requests new trial

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WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin woman convicted of homicide for forgoing medical treatment for her daughter in favor of prayer is asking for a new trial.

Leilani Neumann and her husband Dale claim trial attorney Gene Linehan committed errors during their 2009 trial that confused the jury and failed to properly represent them. According to the Wausau Daily Herald, Neumann and her current attorney appeared in court Monday to hear the testimony of Dale Neumann’s former trial attorney and Linehan’s office assistant.

The Neumanns were sentenced to six months in prison and 10 years of probation in 2009 for the reckless homicide of their 11-year-old daughter, who had undiagnosed diabetes. She died on the floor of the Neumanns’ home in 2008 when the couple prayed instead of taking her to a hospital, despite prolonged illness.

Information from: Wausau Daily Herald, http://www.wausaudailyherald.com