F-2017-1306
In OCCA case No. F-2017-1306, Rebecca Faith Clark appealed her conviction for four counts of Child Abuse by Injury and one count of First Degree Child Abuse Murder. In an unpublished decision, the court decided to affirm her convictions and sentences. One judge dissented. The case involves serious allegations against the appellant and her husband, who adopted two boys after they were removed from their biological parents due to neglect. The abuse came to light after the younger boy, Colton, went missing in 2006. An extensive search was conducted, but he was never found. During this time, the older brother, T.J.S., raised concerns about the treatment he and Colton were receiving at home. He reported incidents of physical abuse, including being beaten and isolated by the appellants. After several years, T.J.S. contacted law enforcement about the mistreatment and his brother's disappearance, which led to reopening Colton's case. The trial revealed chilling details about the life of the brothers in the appellants' care. T.J.S. provided testimony about the physical and emotional abuse they suffered, including beatings, emotional manipulation, and the traumatic events surrounding Colton's disappearance. In her defense, the appellant denied any wrongdoing and argued that the boys were troubled and often acted out. She claimed T.J.S. was the source of the injuries he reported, and she maintained that Colton had run away rather than suggesting any harm had come to him. The court examined various claims raised by the appellant, including ineffective assistance of counsel and improper admission of evidence. Ultimately, the court upheld the conviction, indicating that the overwhelming evidence against the appellant affirmed the decision of the jury. The opinion emphasized the role of the older brother's testimony and the psychological and physical marks left from the alleged abusive environment. It highlighted the principles of joint representation and the appellant's decisions during the trial process. Given these factors, the appellate court found no compelling reason to reverse the lower court's decision. Overall, the OCCA concluded that the appellant received a fair trial, despite her arguments to the contrary, and affirmed the judgment and sentence. The dissenting opinion focused on specific aspects of the trial proceedings but ultimately shared the conclusion regarding the affirmance of the convictions.