Closing arguments begin in trial of guards, nurse in 14-year-old's death at juvenile boot camp

A 14-year-old boy died because seven juvenile boot camp guards and a nurse lacked good judgment and decided to use force against him rather than calling for medical help, a prosecutor told jurors in closing arguments Friday.

Mike Sinacore said the eight defendants ignored common sense in the 30-minute videotaped altercation with Martin Lee Anderson in January 2006. The guards repeatedly hit, kneed and dragged the limp boy around after he collapsed while running laps. The nurse stood by watching.

"This case is about the failure of caregivers to provide Martin Lee Anderson with the care that any prudent person would deem necessary and essential to the well being of a child," Sinacore said.

The eight former employees of the now-closed military-style camp run by the county sheriff face as many as 30 years in prison if convicted of aggravated manslaughter of child. Jurors could decide to acquit them of manslaughter, but convict them of lesser charges including child neglect or culpable negligence.

Prosecutors say the guards suffocated Anderson by repeatedly covering his mouth and making him inhale ammonia. They also say the defendants, as Anderson's legal guardians, failed to provide reasonable care and neglected him.

Each of the defendants testified that ammonia capsules were used to try to revive the boy. But Sinacore said they actually used the capsules to try to force Anderson to comply with their demands that he continue exercising.

"Physical force is applied in between and during the ammonia applications even though (Anderson) clearly wants you to stop," he said. "Finally medical action is taken when Martin Lee Anderson is in a coma."

Defense attorneys say the boy died of natural complications of undiagnosed sickle cell trait, a usually harmless blood disorder found in one in eight African-Americans. The trait can hinder cells carrying oxygen during physical stress, but Sinacore said that was not the direct cause and the defendants still were neglectful.

Sinacore also noted that 3 million Americans have the trait and do not have physical limitations. Some are professional athletes, he said.

The defense began presenting its arguments Thursday afternoon. The judge began Thursday's session by announcing that one of the jurors had become ill and had been dismissed from jury panel.