Trial of Delaware doctor accused of abusing stepdaughter goes to jury

By Lacey Johnson GEORGETOWN, Delaware (Reuters) – A jury heard final arguments on Wednesday in the trial of a well-known Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter. Prosecutors sought to portray Dr. Melvin Morse, a best-selling author on near-death experiences, as a controlling manipulator. Morse’s lawyer told jurors, who are scheduled to begin deliberations on Thursday, that his stepdaughter and wife were liars. His stepdaughter, 11 at the time, told authorities that Morse had physically abused her, including waterboarding her on four occasions.