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Projects: Springer Trial

A house fire on February 27, 2008 killed Calista Springer. Firefighters found the body of 16-year-old Calista chained to her bed after the flames were extinguished. Calista's biological father, Anthony Springer, and stepmother, Marsha Springer, are charged with felony murder, torture and first-degree child abuse. 

  • Anthony and Marsha Springer wait in the hallway outside a courtroom at the Kalamazoo County Courthouse before their trial. The start of the trial was delayed after St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman moved the case to Kalamazoo County after attempts to seat an impartial jury in St. Joseph County failed.
  • St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney John McDonough shows a photograph to the jury of Calista Springer chained to her bed after firefighters were able to extinguish flames that destroyed the family's Centreville home. Calista Springer died in the fire from smoke inhalation.
  • Michigan State trooper Trever Slater, points in the area of where a dog choke chain and plastic zip ties were used to restrain Calista Springer to her top bunk bed during Anthony and Marsha Springer's trial. Slater was the first officer to report to the fire that engulfed the Springer's home in Centreville. “She had just enough to wiggle, but not much more than that,” Slater said. “(The chain) was tight enough to where it had no play, it couldn’t be moved.”
  • Tarra Noble, 16, wipes tears from her eye as she testifies about knowing Calista Springer was chained to a bed. Noble attended sixth grade with Calista in Centreville. Noble, other friends of Calista and school officials testified they were told by Calista during the 2004-2005 school year that she was being chained to her bed at night.Anthony Springer claims the chain was used only two to three days before the Feb. 27, 2008, fire that killed Calista and destroyed the family’s Centreville home.
  • Anthony Springer looks down and becomes emotional as defense attorneys show a DVD of recordings of Calista at different points in her life, from Christmas morning opening gifts with her family to pool parties and at a skating rink with her father.Anthony Springer testified that only after Calista was able to “defeat” other restraints, including a belt and bed alarm, did he start using a dog choke chain to keep her in bed, beginning two to three days before the fire.
  • St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough delivers his closing arguments and points to Anthony and Marsha Springer while holding the dog chain and plastic zip ties that were used to restrain Calista to her bed.“The last time I checked, ladies and gentlemen, there was a big difference between a dog and a human being,” McDonough said. “There’s a reason that’s a dog collar.”McDonough is asking for guilty verdicts of felony murder, torture and first-degree child abuse.
  • Defense attorney Victor Bland, right, holds his head while sitting next to defense attorney John Bush, left, as they listen to testimony from former Child Protective Services investigator Patricia Skelding. “It was understood that Calista was being chained to her bed,” said Skelding, who worked for 18 years for what is now the Michigan Department of Human Services. “I believe it was known for a long time.” Defense attorneys Bland and Bush contend Calista was a “mildly retarded” child who required drastic measures as she grew older in order to keep her from wandering at night and potentially harming herself.
  • Anthony Springer, right, receives a hug from his wife Marsha Springer in the hallway outside the Kalamazoo County courtroom during a recess between closing arguments. To the left, Calista's grandparents Dan Langdon, left, Suzanne Langdon, second from left, and friend Cristen Glick watch. “The hardest thing I’ve dealt with is the thought that she might have died not knowing that anyone loved her,” said Dan Langdon.
  • Supporters, friends and family of Calista Springer wait outside of a courtroom of the St. Joseph County Courthouse before the sentencing of Anthony and Marsha Springer.A jury convicted the Springers of torture and first-degree child abuse, but acquitted them of murder, in connection with a 2008 fire that killed their daughter, Calista and destroyed the family’s Centreville home. The Springers face up to life in prison for torture and 15 years for child abuse.
  • Spectators in the courtroom react as Anthony Springer reads a statement during his and Marsha Springer's sentencing at the St. Joseph County Courthouse. Over thirty people gathered into the courthouse leaving some having to listen to the sentencing from the hallway.
  • Defense attorney Victor Bland, right, reacts as Anthony Springer, reads a statement to the court before he and his wife, Marsha Springer, center, receive their sentence after being convicted of torture and child abuse for the death of their daughter, Calista Springer. Calista died in a fire while she was chained to her bed.
  • Anthony and Marsha Springer react after hearing their sentence for the conviction of torture and child abuse after the death of their daughter, Calista Springer. St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman sentenced Anthony Springer to concurrent terms of 25 to 50 years on the torture conviction and 10 to 15 years for child abuse. Marsha Springer was ordered to serve 225 months to 50 years for torture and 15 years for child abuse, also concurrently.
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