What to know about today’s trial proceedings
During a tense cross-examination, Becky Hamber revealed more about her expectations for the boys she and her wife wanted to adopt, as well as the consequences if they didn’t follow rules.
Hamber explained that she required the boys to stay in their rooms for certain amounts of time, and if they moved around, stretched, or talked, they would have to stand there even longer.
A transcript from a recorded chat between Hamber and L. L., the older boy, in 2021-just a year before his death-shows Hamber asking him why he would be standing in his room “all day long.”
“Because I’m saying I’m hungry,” the boy replied.
Hamber also confirmed in court that along with a wetsuit, mittens, and sometimes a hockey helmet, she would make L. L. wear a jock strap “cup” and a bathing suit to prevent what she called excessive masturbation.
However, in that 2021 recording, L. L. told her he was holding his groin area because he was in pain from needing to use the bathroom.
The Crown informed the court that the boys were rarely allowed out of their locked bedrooms to use the restroom, which led to accidents. Hamber claimed they intentionally peed themselves to get what they wanted faster. In L. L.’s case, she said he often did it trying to get their attention for food.
Frew also accused the women of physically harming the boys.
In text messages from 2022, Hamber mentioned having “sucker punched” J. L. in the throat. In another message, Cooney said she had “ pinned” L. L.
Hamber replied back with “you strangled him and threw him down.”
While testifying, she stated that neither she nor Cooney ever did anything like this to the boys.
Frew pressed Hamber on why J. L.’s feet were zip-tied when they were cut and blistered. Hamber responded that it wasn’t meant as punishment or harm; instead,“it came out of pure love,” comparing it to how helmets were used on boys to stop them from injuring themselves.
The Ontario Superior Court trial began mid-September in Milton and is expected to resume at 9 a. m. ET with closing arguments anticipated for March.
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