Mom Tells of Killing Toddler Son in 'Exorcism'

Latisha Lawson says she was trying to drive out the demon 'Marzon'
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted May 30, 2011 2:11 PM CDT
Mom Latisha Lawson Tells of Killing Toddler Son in 'Exorcism'
Latisha Lawson said she kept her son's body for a year, hoping he would be 'resurrected.'   (AP Photo/Allen County Sheriff's Department)

A mother killed her toddler son as she was trying to "exorcise" a demon from his body, she told Indiana jurors. She accidentally crushed her son's neck as she attempted to stop him from spitting up a concoction of oil and vinegar she hoped would drive out the demon "Marzon," Latisha Lawson explained. "I knew and believe I was interacting with a demon at that time," she said. Lawson and another mother fed the mixture to four children, but the other three immediately spit it up, reports the Telegraph. Lawson hid the body of her son Jeziah for over a year. She said she hoped he would be resurrected.

If convicted, Lawson faces up to 45 years in prison. The defense is trying to prove Lawson was delusional. But prosecutors say she knew what she was doing when she killed her son. "Jeziah was an unwanted kid," said an Allen County prosecutor. "This is a simple child abuse case. She still thinks she did the right thing. Scary." Click for more background on the case. (More Latisha Lawson stories.)

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