Oregon Public Broadcasting

The trial of the couple that relied on prayer to treat their daughter is nearly to the jury.

Brent and Raylene Worthington are charged with manslaughter and criminal mistreatment in the death last year of their 15 month old daughter, Ava.

Prosecutors have argued that Ava succumbed to pneumonia, but that a large cyst on her neck had weakened her constitution, and made it hard for her to breathe.

Defense attorney, Mark Cogan countered that Ava died from a sudden blood infection called sepsis.

Cogan noted in his closing argument Tuesday that one of the prosecution’s medical experts supports that view – even if prosecution attorneys don’t.

Mark Cogan: “Dr. Young, he’s testified under oath that Ava had sepsis. And today, finally, district attorney threw him under the bus. They’re saying, well, too bad, Dr. Young doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”  

Prosecutors have relied on several medical witnesses, including Dr. Christopher Young,  to argue that Ava’s death was preventable, and was caused by months of medical neglect.

Defense attorneys say that a very fast-moving septic infection killed her.