THE HERALD   EVERETT, WASHINGTON
HeraldNet on Facebook HeraldNet on Twitter HeraldNet RSS feeds HeraldNet Pinterest HeraldNet Google Plus
Welcome, Guest | Register | Sign In
New: Newsletters - Register | Sign In
 Home    News   Northwest       
Published: Friday, February 8, 2013, 6:10 p.m.

Couple convicted in adopted twins abuse case

Sign up for HeraldNet Headlines
VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A Vancouver, Wash., couple accused of abusing adopted twins have been convicted of most of the charges each faced.

The Columbian reports that Superior Court jurors on Friday afternoon convicted Jeffrey Weller on 14 of 15 charges related to felony child abuse. His wife, Sandra Weller, was convicted on nine of 10 counts.

The couple testified Thursday in their own defense, denying the charges.

The man and woman were accused of starving and beating the twins, adopted by Sandra Weller before her marriage to Jeffrey.

The boy and girl were removed from the home in 2011.

The now-17-year-old twins both testified. The girl said they were fed moldy food and she was beaten with a cable-style bicycle lock.

A doctor testified the girl has scars on her back and the boy had a broken bone that was never set after he said he was beaten with a board.

Testimony indicated both teens were malnourished but have since gained weight.

Comments


HeraldNet highlights

Your guide to summer
Your guide to summer: Look ahead to fun in the sun with fairs, festivals, concerts
Bird’s-eye view
Bird’s-eye view: A glimpse at the little world of baby crows
A Trekker's 'Star Trek'
A Trekker's 'Star Trek': Well-tooled sequel may be too faithful to series
A 'special woman' lost
A 'special woman' lost: Friends, co-workers mourn nurse killed by stolen truck