CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A couple accused of killing an elderly woman by medically neglecting her are on trial at the Montgomery County Courts Center this week.

William “Bill” Norris Greene, 61, and his wife, Deadra Tidwell Greene, 56, both of Cumberland Furnace, are each charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of physical abuse of an impaired adult in the death of Elsie Mae Greene, who died July 17, 2018, at the age of 65.

Prosecutors: She was left on floor mattress

Prosecuting attorney Crystal Morgan told jurors that when EMTs responded to a call at the couple’s residence, Elsie was unresponsive.

“On June 19, 2018, EMS arrived at 765 Green Lane; what they found was horrific,” she said. “They found a 65-year-old woman, lying on a bare mattress, in the corner of a room, with no air conditioning, lying in her own urine, her own feces, her own body fluids; she was not responsive. Her blood pressure was 50/30.” Morgan said the woman had nine open, bleeding bed sores, some of which went to the bone. “She was skeletal.”

Morgan said Elsie, who was Bill Green’s sister, had been under the care of the defendants for a year and a half, and they had voluntarily assumed the duty to care for her because she had Parkinson’s disease.

Eight months before 911 was called, Elsie had fallen and hurt her hip. Morgan alleged the defendants did not seek medical care, but instead brought her into their home, where they put her on a mattress on the floor.

“She didn’t have a phone to call others for help, no visitors were allowed in the house, she was at the mercy of the defendants,” Morgan said.

Morgan said Elsie died from septic shock. “From the nine gaping bedsores that littered her tiny frame; the same bedsores she developed while in the care of the defendants,” she said.

Defense: Family followed deceased’s wishes

Deadra Greene’s attorney, Shelby Silvey, told jurors the case was “very difficult.”

“It’s about life, and it’s about death, and those are not always pretty.”

Silvey told jurors Elsie never married or had children, but devoted her life to taking care of her father. When he died, Elsie lived alone until she had a series of falls.

“She knew she could call Mr. and Mrs. Greene if she needed anything,” Silvey said. “When it became necessary for her to not live alone, she moved in with Bill and Deadra. She picked them because she knew they would respect her wishes.”

John Parker, who represented Bill Greene, said the case was not cut and dried. “We wouldn’t be here if it was,” he said.

The trial continues through this week.