The Verdict

After six-and-a-half hours of deliberations over two days, the jury of six men and six women found Jacques Robidoux guilty of first degree murder on June 14, 2002.

Because the first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence, Judge Elizabeth B. Donovan sentenced Robidoux accordingly immediately after the verdict was read.

The Aftermath

The state child welfare agency awarded custody of Jacques' youngest children, Caleb and Jollie, to Nicole Kidson, his sister. They all live in Belmont, Maine. Karen's two children from previous relationships are living with their respective fathers.

In August 2000, Bristol County Juvenile Court Judge Kenneth P. Nasif terminated Michelle Mingo's parental rights and awarded her husband Dennis custody of their five children, Rachel, Zachary, Hannah, Rosalynne and Jonathan, then ages 3 to 10.

Trinette and Mark Daneau's infant daughter Rebecca was placed in state custody, which sought to award permanent custody to the child's aunt.

The judge agreed with the Department of Social Services which argued that the sect members were unfit as parents because they did not send the children to school, nor did they provide them with medical care or adequate nourishment.

As of June 2002, all but four of the 12 children have been adopted or permanently placed with relatives not associated with the sect. Rebecca and David Corneau continue fighting the state's efforts to terminate their parental rights to their four children: Emmalyne, 8, Elizabeth Rose, 6, Sarah Anne, 4, and Kattereina Elise, 1.

On June 18, 2002, four days after a jury convicted Jacques, Juvenile Court Judge Kenneth Nasif released David and Rebecca Corneau, who had been in jail on contempt charges for refusing to tell authorities what became of their youngest child. The Massachusetts Department of Social Services alleged the Corneaus are hiding a child Rebecca had to keep the state from taking custody. The couple had been in jail since February 5, 2002.

Their attorney has said publicly that Rebecca delivered a stillborn child at the home of a family friend in November 2001. The Corneaus refuse to answer questions about their stillborn child, asserting their Fifth Amendment rights.

Judge Nasif ruled that the court had reached a standstill in forcing the Corneaus to cooperate. He said the case is better pursued by the district attorney's office and the grand jury, which is investigating the child's death.