Calista Springer case goes to the jury

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) -- The fates of Anthony and Marsha Springer are in the hands of the men and women of the jury, who will decide if they are guilty or not of the felony murder, child abuse and torture of their daughter, Calista.

The jury got the case around 4 p.m. Judge Paul Stutesman gave them option of picking a foreperson and then going home for the day. Court recessed for the day around 5 p.m.

As the trial entered its final phase, the judge began the day with some jury instructions prior to closing arguments from the prosecutor and defense attorneys.

Her parents, Anthony and Marsha Springer, are charged with felony murder, child abuse and torture. Calista, 16, died when fire swept through their Centreville home in 2008, and she was found chained to her bed.

The defense rested Thursday after Anthony Springer spent most of the day on the witness stand. However, the prosecution chose not to ask him any questions.

In closing arguments, the prosecution tried to convince jurors the Springers are responsible for Calista's death because they chained her, and they'd been doing that for years.

"They know what could happen if a fire occured," said St. Joseph County prosecutor John McDonough. "The fire did occur and she couldn't get out. She died because she could not get out. She couldn't get out because of this," he said, throwing a chain onto a table.

But the defense brought forth witnesses to show Calista was a troubled child, that the Springers were trying to protect her from her own harmful behavior. The chaining was necessary, they claim, and had been going on for only two or three days.

Victor Bland, the attorney for Marsha Springer, reminded the jury of their duty. "You have to find beyond a reasonable doubt they were knowingly or intentionally trying to harm this child, not that harm resulted, because it did."

The judge then gave the jury their final instructions. Deliberations begin Tuesday.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this trial.