More info, this woman was basically a slave, if she didn't obey the "leadings", she would be forced out of the group and lose everthing, including her own children.
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Mass. v. Karin Robidoux: Cult couple's baby starves to death
The Prosecution's Case
Samuel's starvation death at the hands of his own parents is as an "outrageously horrific act as the human mind can imagine," prosecutor Walter Shea told the jury.
For 51 days, Samuel's parents watched idly by as he deteriorated, the prosecutor argued.
Shea also urged the jury that their job was not to decide whether Karin had a tough life, but who is responsible for Samuel's death.
No evidence exists that proves Karin was intentionally starved, Shea argued. On the contrary, Karin was to bulk up and get fatter, which is why she was to drink the high-fat almond milk. The only person whose diet changed was Samuel, Shea said.
The prosecutor argued that Karin Robidoux was not detached from reality, but aware of what was happening to her baby -- and did nothing about it. Her being emotionally upset and distraught is instead proof that she in fact knew Samuel was in danger, Shea said.
He said Karin had a choice, and she chose her husband and religion over the life of her child. Shea even argued that none of the cult members were truly controlled because those who wanted to leave could have left at any time. There were no violent retaliations for leaving, according to witnesses, only the consequence of being ignored by members.
Shea also contended Karin's claim of battered woman's syndrome doesn't apply because battered women strike out against their batterers, not their innocent children.
The victim when the real victim is Samuel, Shea said, who was rejected by his own parents. Karin Robidoux should have known Samuel was dying, he argued.
The Defense's Case
Defense lawyer Joseph Krowski told the jury Karin Robidoux's ordeal began when she was 15 and her father secluded her from the outside world and her friends.
At that age, her father forced her to work to support her two young children, and all indications are that Karin was a good mother. Throughout her life, Karin was told what to do, including whom she would marry, the defense maintained.
The cult's power was so strong, he said, it not only controlled Karin who was indoctrinated at an early age, but reasonable, free thinking adults who joined the cult despite living in regular society.
Krowksi told jurors that Karin was as much a hostage to the cult as was Samuel.
This group was not about religion, but about torture and torment, especially toward women. Krowski said Jacques Robidoux is the responsible party because he was in control of everything his wife did or didn't do.
Another accomplice, according to Krowski, was Vivian Daneau, Karin's own mother, who instead of coming to her daughter's aid, forced Karin to continue the fatal feeding regiment.
Krowski also criticized other members for not doing anything and only coming forward with details of Samuel's death after getting immunity and protecting themselves.
The true joint venturers are Jacques Robidoux and his sister, Michelle Mingo, according to the defense, whom Krowski says teamed up to strip Karin of her dignity, her children and her life.
