JUSTICE for KAIRISSA MARK

Dr. Deborah Mark, a pediatrician, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, is charged with first degree murder and multiple counts of child abuse in connection to the death of her four-year-old daughter, Kairissa Mark, in July 2010. Steven Mark is charged with multiple counts of child abuse. Kairissa was adopted from China. Less than 90 days after the Marks adopted her, she was dead. Kairissa had severe bruising and Mt. Juliet police said the case of child abuse was one of the worst they had seen.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Steven Mark pleaded the fifth

Deborah Mark's husband, Steven, who faces child abuse charges in the case, took the stand Thursday and was asked if he contacted the couple's adoption agency just before his daughter's death as testimony revealed he did on Wednesday, according to WKRN News 2.

He replied, "From the advice of my attorney Alan Poindexter, I am exercising my right under the 5th amendment of the United States constitution against self incrimination I respectfully decline to answer."

Steven Mark pleaded not guilty and is out of jail on bond while awaiting trial.