Crown Begins Cross Examination of David Stephan

LETHBRIDGE – Cross examination of David Stephan got underway Tuesday afternoon, following his initial evidence on Monday.

He’s co-accused with his wife Collet of failing to provide the necessities of life, for the March 2012 death of their 18-month old son, Ezekiel. He died as a result of bacterial meningitis.

David testified that Ezekiel had shown what appeared to be symptoms of croup about two weeks before the night that he stopped breathing. He stated that he wasn’t concerned enough to seek medical help, as the child’s condition seemed to improve with home remedies. He also noted that Ezekiel and his older brother never had more than a cough or runny nose, crediting a regimen of supplements.

Under questioning from the Crown on Ezekiel’s condition in late February and early March of 2012, David acknowledged that while Ezekiel showed improvement, he never reached 100-per cent at any point during that time. He also noted that Ezekiel had a fever early on, despite having testified one day earlier that he never had one.