Accused Kevin Goforth testifies he 'fell in love at first sight' with girls

The trial of a Regina couple accused in the death of a four-year-old girl is set to continue Tuesdaywith further testimony from accused Kevin and Tammy Goforth.

Kevin and Tammy Gofortharecharged withsecond-degree murder in connection with the death of the four-year-old, whose name cannot be published.They're also charged withcausing bodily harm to her younger sister, 2.

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Both girls were in the care of the Goforths in 2012when the older girl died.

Kevin Goforthtakes the stand

On Monday, Kevin Goforthsat in the witness box for the first time. Part of histestimony dealt with items that the Crownhadentered as evidence earlier in the trial.

The Crown has been building a case that the two girls were abused and certain items seized by the police, such as tape,had been used to restrain the children.

However, Goforthdenied that. When asked about photos ofbungee cords and cargo straps and whether they had been used to tie up the two girls, Goforth replied: "Absolutely not."

The Crown also suggested thatGoforthused a strip of cloth to gag the four-year-old, whichGoforthsaid was a lie.

Details about the girls' arrival

Goforth described feeling "iffy" about taking the girls in at first, but said that he "fell in love with the girls at first sight" during their weekend visit.He said he was happy to meet the girls when they first came into his care.

He described the girls to the court as beingslender with high cheekbones.

When photos of the girls from a few months prior to the hospitalisation were brought up, Goforth disagreed with the Crown's suggestion that it appeared like bones were protruding.

He also talked about the girls' arms when they initially came to the house, saying "No, they didn't have chubby little kid arms."

When doing a comparison of photos of the girls, he said he didn't see any significant changes in the photo of the older girl from March and the photo from the hospital in July.

"Would you agree that 'bones sticking out of her arms' is a proper way to describe her on Aug. 1, 2012?" the Crown asked.

"No," Goforth answered. "Again, I always remember their arms being small."

Night of July 31, 2012

Court hadpreviously heard that the four-year-old girl was in cardiac arrest when shearrived at hospital on July 31, 2012, andwas suffering from malnutrition and dehydration.

Goforthrecalled fallingasleep on the couch thenight before, then being suddenly awoken by his wife screaming.

"I woke up to a bloodletting yell. I woke up to the most horrifying scream I've ever heard in my life," he said.

Goforthsaid he "jumped up immediately" andwent to the girls' room,where his wifeTammy was screaming. He said both were crying as they held the limp girl.

"I was brushing her hair," he said. "I was trying to comfort her."

Goforthwent on to describe going to the car and his wife speeding down Winnipeg Street to the emergency room at the hospital.

"I ran in those doors screaming.I said, 'We need help,'" he said.

Doctors took the four-year-old girloff life support on Aug. 2 of that year.

Cross-examination

During cross-examination the Crown asked Goforth why he didn't learn the younger girl's real name.

He said the younger girl's name was never clear to the family, and they all just called her "baby girl," or at times another shorter name.

The Crown asked Goforth why there was a different name on the bill at the hospital. Goforth said his wife, Tammy, did that part.

The Crown also asked why they never obtained health cards for the girls after one was taken to the hospital for stitches. Goforth told the court he thought his wife was looking into the health card situation and that "we just didn't think of it."

The Crown also challenged Goforth extensively on his statements to police after the older girl was hospitalised.

Goforth said he doesn't remember the questions or answers, but said he remembers feeling that the police pushed him and put words in his mouth.

He saidthey were "right in his face."

The trial before Queen's Bench Justice Ellen Gunnstarted two weeks ago and is expected to continue for another week.