Joyce Garrard Testifies as Defense rests its case in her murder trial

Savannah Hardin

Joyce Hardin Garrard took the witness stand in her own defense Wednesday in her murder trial testifying that she never intended any harm to 9-year-old Savannah Hardin.

Garrard said she prays  for her every day.

Prosecutors contend the woman made the girl run for hours as punishment for a lie, leading to her collapse and death in a hospital days later.

Testimony concluded Wednesday, and closing arguments are expected Friday.

After testimony concluded, the defense asked the judge to acquit Garrard, saying prosecutors failed to prove she intended to kill the girl. Judge Billy Ogletree denied the motion.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, but jurors could also consider lesser charges.

Garrard initially denied the girl had run any faster than a trot on Feb. 17, 2012, the day she fell unconscious with seizures that evidence showed were caused by low sodium levels.

But later, during cross-examination, Garrard testified she was training the girl to win foot races at school. She said Savannah loved to run and it was impossible to force the child to run.

When defense attorney Richard Rhea asked if she would have done anything to hurt Savannah or any other grandchildren, Garrard replied: "I'd rather die first."

The 49-year-old Garrard said she and Savannah had been in the yard picking up sticks and talking, taking frequent breaks to get a drink of water and to play. She said she was telling Savannah the importance of not lying.

Garrard added to her story during cross-examination, telling prosecutor Marcus Reid she was also teaching the girl how to run faster that day.

Garrard said they picked up sticks for 40 minutes maximum, but also spent much of the day in the yard and inside. She said Savannah told her she had to go to the bathroom and they were racing into the house when the girl fell backward. Garrard said that's when she told Savannah's stepmother, Jessica Mae Hardin, to call 911.

The girl's stepmother is awaiting trial on a murder charge in the girl's death. Authorities contend she sat by without intervening while the older woman forced the girl to run until she dropped.

Jurors were sent home Wednesday and instructed not to go to work Thursday.