NJ judge: Woman can stand trial in starvation case

NEWTON, N.J. - January 7, 2010

A judge in Sussex County last month stopped the trial off Estelle Walker to determine whether she was too delusional after she refused to participate in her defense, saying, "God will defend me."

The judge ruled Wednesday that she may be extremely religious but is able to participate.

The 50-year-old Brooklyn woman and her children were placed by a church in a cabin in Lake Hopatcong in 2005. Church officials said they found the children badly malnourished in 2006.

When the trial resumes, Walker is likely to consider in insanity defense.

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