November 18, 2008 Video evidence presented in Poutre case Play video

(Scot Yount, NECN: Springfield, MA) - The jury in a high profile child abuse trial has been shown video of the girl at the heart of the case. Prosecutors say Haleigh Poutre, now 14-years-old suffered brain damage when she was beaten. Her stepfather, Jason Strickland, is on trial. He is accused of hurting the girl, or allowing his late wife to do so.

The video was the first public glimpse of Haleigh since she was hospitalized in 2005.

The 14-year-old was shown using her left hand to write her name, feeding herself with a spoon and pointing out letters and symbols on a board.

Prosecutors say Strickland and his late wife beat Haleigh so severely that doctors thought she would never recover.

Material from the Associated Press is included in this report.