Jury Begins Deliberations in Jehovah’s Witness Case

POMONA —  Following emotional closing arguments by a prosecutor and defense attorney Tuesday, jurors in Pomona Superior Court began deliberating whether alleged drunk driver Keith Cook killed Jadine Russell, or the Azusa woman caused her own death by refusing a blood transfusion.

The jury must decide whether Cook, an auto mechanic, was guilty of second-degree murder for driving drunk and ramming into Russell’s car on a dark, two-lane road. Or they could find that Russell, a Jehovah’s Witness, died because she declined the transfusion for religious reasons.

Defense attorney Charles Unger suggested that, at most, Cook should be convicted of drunk driving and causing injuries to Russell, her daughter and two police officers.

Unger tried to get the jury to focus on the choice made by Russell--55 and a mother of five--not to take blood. “This case is about a choice made by Jadine Russell,” Unger said.

“She held the keys in her hand. But, due to her religious convictions, she made a decision [not to take blood]. The consequences of that decision should not be put on Keith Cook.”