Crown delivers closing remarks in Lethbridge meningitis trial

Co- Crown prosecutor Lisa Weich gave closing remarks on Saturday to the eight women and four men who will decide David and Collet Stephans’ fate.

David Stephan, 32, and his wife Collet Stephan, 35, have pleaded not guilty to failing to provide the necessities of life for 18-month-old Ezekiel, who died in March 2012. Doctors told the boy’s parents he died of meningitis.

READ MORE: ‘Take the child to the ER right away’: Naturopathic doctor testifies at meningitis trial

“This trial is not about murder, the Crown does not need to prove the Stephans had anything to do with Ezekiel’s death,” Weich told the jury.

She went on to say that she has no doubt the accused loved Ezekiel and wanted him to be well.

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However, Weich posed a question to the jury, over and over.

READ MORE: Social worker takes stand in trial for southern Alberta parents accused in toddler’s death

“Ask yourself, what would a reasonably prudent parent do? I’m going to say – they take him to a doctor.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Ask yourself, what would a reasonably prudent parent do? I'm going to say - they take him to a doctor."

READ MORE: Parents of Alberta boy who died from meningitis thought he had cold or flu: defence

She pointed out that three doctors at the Children’s Hospital all said Ezekiel had bacterial meningitis and thought it may have been possible to save the boy if his parents had sought medical attention sooner.

READ MORE: Alberta father of boy who died of meningitis undergoes lengthy cross-examination

Weich pointed out that the couple gave the same story over and over four years ago and said “the only time they told a different story was last week.”

She became emotional when she said Ezekiel was dead before the ambulance got to him.

RELATED: Alberta’s former chief medical examiner testifies in Lethbridge meningitis trial

“They should have taken him to a doctor and they didn’t. That’s the failure.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They should have taken him to a doctor and they didn't. That's the failure."

“A reasonably prudent parent would have foreseen the risk and would have taken him to a doctor,” she said.

Weich wrapped her remarks by saying that the parents should not have walked to the hospital – they should have run.

The jury will hear instructions from the judge on Monday afternoon.