Judge to review satanic bible in child slaying case
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SIOUX CITY, Iowa— A judge will review a satanic bible and an affidavit from a satanic high priest as he determines whether prosecutors can refer to satanism in the trial of a Sioux City man accused of killing his two stepdaughters.
Lawrence Harris Sr., 26, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Jan. 6 slayings of Kendra Suing, 10, and her sister Alysha Suing, 8. The girls' bodies were found in a second-floor bedroom of the house. Police say they had been stabbed and strangled.
Harris told police that he had been performing ``some strange ritual'' that had gone bad and that the spell could have severe consequences, court records show.
The girls' bodies were found after police and firefighters responded to a fire at the home. The fire, which started in the home's basement, caused only superficial damage.
Prosecutors say Harris was practicing satanism and that the killings were part of a ritual from a satanic bible.
Harris' attorney, assistant public defender Michael Williams, said during a court hearing on Wednesday that prosecutors are seeking to link what Harris says and does to satanism. Casting spells and practicing witchcraft is not proof of satanism, Williams said.
``(They) want shock value, sensationalism and knit-pick analysis of religious text in order to satisfy an inference,'' Williams said.
Williams said he plans to use a defense of insanity and diminished responsibility.
Woodbury County Attorney Mark Campbell said the evidence is needed to show Harris was performing a spell or ritual from a satanic bible when the girls died. Harris said Harris' belief in the book is proof he wasn't mentally ill but was conducting a spell or ritual.
Harris is seeking a change of venue but Judge James D. Scott did not rule on that request during Wednesday's hearing.
Trial is set for Oct. 14.
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