Hartsfield trial well underway

ANAHUAC— With plenty of eyes watching, the Sarah Hartsfield trial began last week, and the jury has already heard from more than 30 witnesses, having twists and turns with each.

The trial for Beach City resident Hartsfield, 50, who stands accused of killing her fifth husband, Joseph Hartsfield, 46, by insulin overdose, began on Tuesday, Sept. 30, with Judge Chap B. Cain III presiding over the 253rd District Court.

Joseph, who had Type 1 diabetes, was hospitalized on Jan. 7, 2023, from hypoglycemia, dying about a week later.

Tuesday began with Chambers County Assistant District Attorney Mallory Vargas giving an opening statement, saying the couple had a “whirlwind relationship” that “didn’t take long to fall apart.”

Defense attorney Case Darwin argued that Joseph died as a result of his history of medical issues, naming diabetes, heart issues and sleep apnea.

Darwin said Hartsfield had no duty to act as she was on a slew of medications, including hydrocodone, valium and gabapentin, following surgery in December 2022.

Joseph’s mother, Helen Hartsfield, and his sister, Jeannie Hartsfield, described Hartsfield as controlling in the relationship and explained Joseph’s plans to leave her a few weeks before his death, which was reiterated by Joseph’s cousin and aunt.

Jeannie began crying when explaining that the family had to hold a separate funeral service for Joseph as Hartsfield didn’t allow them to attend the service she planned, adding that the family wasn’t allowed to have his body.

Two previous husbands and an ex-partner discussed the “tumultuous” relationships they had with Hartsfield, according to KPRC 2.

Two of Hartsfield’s daughters said they were afraid of their mother, and Hannah Williamson, Hartsfield’s long-time friend, said she was “frightened to be here now,” according to KPRC 2.

Helen described Joseph’s emotional state in the weeks leading up to his death, saying he was afraid Hartsfield would kill him in his sleep, which was later reiterated during Jeannie’s testimony.

Helen and Jeannie testified that Joseph was afraid of his blood sugar dropping at night because his father, who also had diabetes, would have bad symptoms when his sugar dropped.

The sentiment was later reiterated by Dr. John Knight, Joseph’s doctor since August 2016, who testified Joseph’s baseline blood sugar was high and he had to be hospitalized multiple times for high blood sugar.

The same point was noted by Dr. Souad Enakuaa, Joseph’s endocrinologist. She testified that Joseph would either take less or skip his prescribed doses, according to KPRC 2.

Multiple medical professionals testified that it is very rare for a patient to die of low blood sugar complications, often responding very quickly to treatment, and Dr. Marianne Beynon, assistant medical examiner with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, said she has only conducted one autopsy where the cause of death was “complications of toxic effects of insulin,” which was Joseph’s, according to KPRC 2.

Medical professionals who treated Joseph in the hospital testified that it was odd Joseph wasn’t responding to treatments, according to KPRC 2.

About nine witnesses testified to Hartsfield discussing killing a man, from Helen to Hartsfield’s realtor, which was a reference to the death of Hartsfield’s ex-fiancé David Bragg in Douglas County, Minnesota.

It was ruled that Hartsfield was acting in self-defense, but Douglas County Detective Brandon Kruse said the case has been reopened since, noting Hartsfield has no current charges related to the case, according to KPRC 2.

Two house fires and an attempt were also mentioned, though Hartsfield has not been charged with arson in any, and a murder-for-hire plot resulted in the testimony of FBI Agent John W. Anderson, while also rendered no charges, according to KPRC 2.