Neighbour: Alabama girl forced to run by grandmother on trial for capital murder

GADSDEN, Ala. – A witness said a woman on trial for capital murder in her granddaughter’s death made the girl run and carry sticks outside their rural Alabama home.

Chad Jacobs was among the first witnesses Monday against 49-year-old Joyce Hardin Garrard. She faces a potential death penalty if convicted in the death of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin.

Jacobs says he saw Garrard forcing the girl to run over a two-hour period in February 2012.

A rescue squad finally arrived, and Jacobs later heard the girl wouldn’t survive. She died in a hospital.

Jurors earlier saw a video in which Garrard talked about making the girl run after a lie about candy.

The defence tried to raise questions about medical evidence in opening statements. Garrard’s lawyer says she didn’t mean to harm Savannah.

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