Goforths will stand trial

A Regina couple will stand trial on charges of manslaughter and criminal negligence causing bodily harm in relation to the death of a four-year-old girl and the hospitalization of her younger sister.

June Alexus Dawn Goforth was four years old when she died on Aug. 2, 2012.

According to information previously released by the Regina Police Service, she was taken to hospital a day earlier, arriving in an unresponsive state. Police had also located her two-year-old sister and brought her to hospital.

Two people police had referred to as caregivers to the girls (neither is a biological parent) were subsequently charged.

Kevin Eric Goforth, 38, and Tammy Lynn Goforth, 37, were present at Regina Provincial Court this week for a preliminary hearing on their charges and, on Thursday, defence lawyers told Judge Carol Snell their clients were consenting to committal to stand trial at Court of Queen’s Bench before a judge sitting without a jury.

A date for the trial hasn’t yet been set.

Details of evidence heard at the preliminary hearing can’t be reported because of a court-imposed publication ban.

Kevin and Tammy Goforth were both previously released from custody and are each subject to conditions while out in the community.

This week’s often-emotional hearing led earlier in the week to a couple of incidents outside the courtroom, resulting in additional courtroom security and measures taken to prevent similar problems.