The trial of a Tucson couple accused of imprisoning three sisters for nearly two years began Friday morning, with legal teams painting contrasting pictures of how the girls were treated.
In her opening argument, Deputy Pima County Attorney Frances Kreamer Hope told jurors Tucson police officers rescued the girls from a βhorrific ordealβ in November 2013.
The girls suffered βemotional abuse on a constant, daily basisβ in their northside home as Fernando and Sophia Richter kept them locked in their bedrooms, monitored them with video cameras, served them rancid food, and forced them to use a bedroom closet as a bathroom, Hope said.Β
The couple also beat them with belts, plastic and metal spoons, and wires, she said.Β
The girls are βno longer suffering silentlyβ and will testify against their mother and stepfather, Hope said.
Fernando and Sophia Richter each face three counts of kidnapping and three counts of child abuse in Pima County Superior Court. Fernando Richter also faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with an attempt to break down a bedroom door while wielding a knife.
Paul Skitzki, the lawyer representing Fernando Richter, told jurors they will not see evidence of physical injuries or scars on the girls.
Jurors will hear from witnesses who will say the girls were seen walking freely around the house, which was generally tidy, Skitzki said. Fernandoβs mother will testify that she took the girls out occasionally.
βBasically, what this case is going to come down to is what the girls say,β he said, adding the girls objected to their stepfatherβs relationship with their mother.
Leo Plowman, representing Sophia Richter, said his client reserved her right to an opening statement until later in the trial.
