03-21-2015, 02:39 PM
Follow up to post #417 -- Run to your death
![[Image: 26DB3DAA00000578-0-image-a-84_1426908734429.jpg]](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/03/21/03/26DB3DAA00000578-0-image-a-84_1426908734429.jpg)
Joyce Hardin Garrard ^ is the grandmother accused of murdering her ^ 9-year-old granddaughter Savannah Hardin back in 2012.
Grams stood trial this month in Alabama, accused of punishing the girl for lying about a piece of candy by forcing Savannah to run around the yard picking up sticks non-stop for over 3 hours.
Prosecutors contended that Garrard refused to let Savannah stop running even after the girl was vomiting and begging for an end to the exercise.
Savannah collapsed from exhaustion and had a seizure. She died in the hospital three days later.
In court, prosecutors cited a school bus surveillance video that captured Garrard saying she would run the girl and teach her a lesson. Neighbors testified that Garrard acted like a drill sergeant with the girl.
At her trial, grams contended that Savannah wanted to win a race at school and she was only trying to helping her. Her attorneys claimed that other health factors could have caused Savannah's death.
The jury didn't buy the defense's story and found Joyce Hardin Garrard, 49, guilty of capital murder after only 3 hours of deliberation. Grams will be sentenced to death or life without parole on Monday.
Savannah's father is a US State Dept contractor who was away on an assignment at the time. Savannah was left in the care of her grandmother and her stepmother.
The witchy stepmom was present when the incident occurred and did nothing to stop what prosecutors called the "torture" of Savannah.
![[Image: 17015138_BG1.jpg]](http://wbrc.images.worldnow.com/images/17015138_BG1.jpg)
Stepmom, ^ Jessica Mae Hardin, is charged with murder and awaiting trial. If convicted, she could be sentenced to life in prison. She gave birth while in custody back in 2012.
Joyce Hardin Garrard ^ is the grandmother accused of murdering her ^ 9-year-old granddaughter Savannah Hardin back in 2012.
Grams stood trial this month in Alabama, accused of punishing the girl for lying about a piece of candy by forcing Savannah to run around the yard picking up sticks non-stop for over 3 hours.
Prosecutors contended that Garrard refused to let Savannah stop running even after the girl was vomiting and begging for an end to the exercise.
Savannah collapsed from exhaustion and had a seizure. She died in the hospital three days later.
In court, prosecutors cited a school bus surveillance video that captured Garrard saying she would run the girl and teach her a lesson. Neighbors testified that Garrard acted like a drill sergeant with the girl.
At her trial, grams contended that Savannah wanted to win a race at school and she was only trying to helping her. Her attorneys claimed that other health factors could have caused Savannah's death.
The jury didn't buy the defense's story and found Joyce Hardin Garrard, 49, guilty of capital murder after only 3 hours of deliberation. Grams will be sentenced to death or life without parole on Monday.
Savannah's father is a US State Dept contractor who was away on an assignment at the time. Savannah was left in the care of her grandmother and her stepmother.
The witchy stepmom was present when the incident occurred and did nothing to stop what prosecutors called the "torture" of Savannah.
Stepmom, ^ Jessica Mae Hardin, is charged with murder and awaiting trial. If convicted, she could be sentenced to life in prison. She gave birth while in custody back in 2012.