The defense then called Kayleen Hill, Brian David Mitchell’s older sister to the stand.
Hill testified that she didn’t think Brian and his second wife Debbie were a very good match for each other and that he told her that “Jesus Christ” told him he should marry her.
Hill told the court that Brain and Debbie withdrew from other family members soon after the marriage and that they treated Brian’s children Travis and Angela is a strange way, especially when it came to religion.
Hill testified that Brian would not allow Travis to go to church or be baptized into the LDS Church because he was not “worthy.”
Hill said Brian told her that Travis and Angie weren’t worthy of their love, and that they were getting in the way of his relationship with Debbie.
Hill also testified that Travis was suicidal when he entered foster care.
In cross-examination, prosecutor Alicia Cook questioned Hill about her father and his relationship with Brian.
Hill said Shirl Mitchell was intelligent, loving and not he mentally ill, although he showed signs of depression.
Hill answered questions about the family’s religious experiences and how Brian and the rest of the family eventually found the LDS Church.
Hill also recounted a letter Brian wrote to her about his children, saying, “He said that if he hadn’t had children at a young age he would have been able to do some great things in life.”
