Prosecution in Philadelphia Trial Paints Picture of Deceptive Kidnapper
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Prosecutors in the trial of a Philadelphia woman accused of kidnapping and sexually molesting a kindergarten girl last year today attempted to show that defendant Christina Regusters acted alone, despite testimony from the young victim that three people were involved.
The five-year-old victim, blindfolded during most of her kidnap ordeal, has testified that she was aware of three people: the disguised woman who kidnapped her, a man, and another woman who identified herself as "China."
The girl said China fed her and eventually helped her escape, taking her to the Upper Darby playground where she was found by a passerby.
Now, a cousin of defendant Christina Regusters has testified that Regusters' nickname as a child was "China," noting that her mother called her "China" or "China doll."
The defense is not disputing the nickname, but the defense attorney pointed out through questioning that it was a long time ago, when Regusters, now 21, was a small child.
The prosecution alleges that Regusters acted alone, but tricked the victim into thinking others were involved.
As the trial was resuming this morning, Judge Jeffrey Minehart began the session with a warning, telling the defendant that outbursts cannot be tolerated, adding that he doesn't think they help her case.
Yesterday, a sobbing Christina Regusters made an outburst from the defense table, denying she had previously molested a young cousin, as alleged by prosecutors.
Judge Minehart told the defendant if she disrupts the proceedings again, she could be removed from the courtroom, to watch the proceedings on a television monitor in another room.
The jury was also cautioned that it should not consider the outburst in its deliberations.