Jason Strickland takes the stand in his own defense, and denies ever abusing stepdaughter Haleigh Poutre. Strickland is charged with beating Haleigh into a coma, causing severe brain damage, in September of 2005. During more than four hours of testimony Strickland denied the prosecution's allegations that he pushed the girl down a flight of stairs.

Defense Attorney Alan Black asked Strickland, "Did you ever push Haleigh down the stairs?"
Strickland's response, "No."

Jason Strickland took the stand just after 11 a.m., answering question after questions about how he treated his stepdaughter Haleigh Poutre, even getting emotional when he was asked about displaying affection to all three of his kids.

Throughout his testimony Strickland admitted to seeing injuries on Haleigh's body over the five years he lived with her.

"Haleigh was walking around barefoot and I noticed her feet were red and swollen," says Strickland.

But on every occasion Strickland says it was his late wife, Holli, who took Haleigh to the doctor, and told him what was wrong. And for almost all of those injuries Strickland says he was told the wounds were self-inflicted.

Strickland says Holli told him, "She dropped a bowling ball repeatedly on her feet."

Strickland also explained the last time he saw Haleigh conscious. The prosecution says he threw her down the basement stairs in the late afternoon on September 10, 2005. But Strickland says Haleigh wasn't feeling well, she ate an early dinner, and went to bed before he left the house for the evening.

"Haleigh had eaten dinner and was taking a bath when I left," says Strickland.

Closing arguments are expected to take place on Monday, before the jury begins deliberations.