Christian Scientists Convicted in Death

A jury Wednesday convicted a Christian Science couple of involuntary manslaughter in the death of their 2 1/2-year-old son, who died of a bowel obstruction after they turned to prayer instead of doctors.

The Suffolk County Superior Court jury found Ginger and David Twitchell, both 34, guilty after more than 14 hours of deliberations. Each faces up to 20 years in prison.

Their son, Robyn, died April 8, 1986, after a five-day illness. Robyn’s sickness and death were graphically detailed in two months of testimony that some experts said placed the Christian Science Church on trial.

“It has been hard on everyone and it was certainly hard” on the jury, David Twitchell said minutes after the verdict was read. “This has been a prosecution against our faith.”

Defense attorney Rikki Klieman said the couple would appeal the decision. She said Judge Sandra Hamlin failed to instruct the jury properly.

Hamlin denied Klieman’s request for a poll of jurors, some of whom cried before being escorted from the courtroom. During deliberations, the panel asked the judge several times to clarify the legal definition of manslaughter.

The Twitchells were accused of recklessly and wantonly causing Robyn’s death by denying him conventional medical treatment.

Trial testimony began May 4 with a jury tour of the Twitchell’s former home in Boston. The Twitchells now live in New York with two children.

David Twitchell testified at the trial; his wife did not.

Klieman argued that, although the Twitchells made a mistake in not calling in a doctor, their son did not appear to have a life-threatening illness.

But prosecutor John Kiernan argued that parents have an ages-old obligation to protect their children and that they sacrificed their child for the sake of their beliefs.

The case was built on testimony from medical experts, emergency personnel, Christian Science practitioners and former neighbors of the Twitchells.

Among key issues were the severity of Robyn’s symptoms, his time of death and his parents’ actions in calling in Christian Science practitioners.

The conviction was the fifth of Christian Science practitioners in the United States and all remained on appeal, United Press International reported. Sentencing has not yet been set in the Twitchell’s case.

Massachusetts law recognizes spiritual healing as a viable form of medicine but requires that parents seek professional care for children with life-threatening diseases or injuries.

Klieman bitterly criticized the verdict outside the courtroom. “Christian Science was on trial from beginning to end. A mockery was made of the faith.”