Oregon Public Broadcasting

Jurors at the faith-healing trial in Oregon City heard emotional testimony Wednesday from the father of a teenager who died a year and a half ago.

16 year-old Neil Beagley had an undiagnosed urinary blockage. He died just months after his niece did.  That case led to a guilty verdict against the girl’s father — a Beagley relative, and also a member of the Followers of Christ church.

In the current case, Jeff and Marci Beagley, are accused of criminal neglect in their son’s death.

The defense has argued that the son was old enough to decide not to see a doctor, and that the parents didn’t think he was dying.

Prosecutors say the couple leaned on faith to the exclusion of potentially life-saving medical treatment.

Neil’s father, Jeff Beagley, testified that, indeed, the family’s faith is important.

Jeff Beagley: “We try to put God first, and the other second – going in and getting help. We try to rely on God as much as we possibly can. We try to hold our faith to that if you can, as much as we can – not saying that I can - and if not, we end up at the hospital.”

Beagley said that other members of the church have visited doctors.  He said that reflects a lapse in faith, consistent with people not being perfect.

Jeff Beagley testified that he never spoke to his son about seeing a doctor – though he says Neil’s mother, Marci, did.

She’s expected to testify Thursday morning.