Kevin Goforth tells Regina trial he and wife 'loved' girls in their care

Kevin Goforth’s story was picked apart by Crown lawyer Dana Brule as his cross-examination continued Tuesday morning.

The Crown used a transcript of the interview Goforth made to police in August 2012 to suggest what he was telling the court wasn’t the whole truth in his testimony.

Goforth testified he didn’t remember police offering him coffee, yet it was a part of the conversation. He told the court, “I didn’t realize I was giving a statement”. The transcript shows he was read his rights and put under arrest.

In the transcript, Kevin said he believed Tammy caused some of the bruises on the girls and that she spanked them. He even suggests the four-year-old was tied up. On the stand, Goforth answered, “I was thinking the mitts on her hands”.

The transcript also quoted him suggesting that Tammy seemed like she didn’t care anymore. To that, Goforth claimed he was just speculating.

The defence has painted a picture that the Goforths loved the two girls very much and did all they could to care for them. But in a series of exchanges between Goforth and Brule, that story was broken down.

Wearing a white shirt, black blazer and spotty tie, Goforth told the court he and his wife Tammy, “loved those girls”. Brule fired back, “you loved them so much they were malnourished and dehydrated”.

“The first time you loved them was when one was basically dying in your arms. You ignored all the signs,” argued Brule.

The Crown asked why the Goforths hadn’t thought to call the Healthline, the free telephone health service offered in Saskatchewan. Goforth was asked why he uses the word “slender”, with Brule suggesting he was masking the fact the girls were skin and bone.

As for the injuries on the girls, Goforth repeated that he thought the girls was just sickly again and his wife would nurse them back to health. In the prisoner’s box, Tammy showed no emotion.

Brule fired back, “anyone with a child, a pet even, that is sick twice a month for nine months would rush that child to hospital”.

“We didn’t know how to handle these sick girls, we cared for them the best we knew how,” Goforth answered.

Confirming that Tammy did all the caring and Goforth was the provider, Brule said, “you didn’t take her to the doctor, you didn’t prevent the bruises.” Goforth answered, “I think the word ‘father’ says it all”.

The trial is in to its final stages now. Closing arguments will begin Thursday morning, followed by the direction to the jury from the judge, before deliberations begin likely on Friday.

Tammy and Kevin Goforth are accused of murdering a four-year-old and injuring a two-year-old in their care.