The teenage son of a New Jersey military couple charged with abusing their three foster children tells a jury his parents used Bible passages to justify their actions.
John Jackson Jr. took the witness stand Tuesday in federal court in Newark and described how his parents used a paddle, a ruler, a belt and a stick to hit the younger children. He also said they forced them to drink hot sauce as punishment.
John and Carolyn Jackson were charged two years ago with crimes including endangerment, assault and conspiracy.
A first trial ended in a mistrial last fall.
The Jacksons were living at Picatinny Arsenal in northwestern New Jersey when prosecutors say the abuse occurred. The couple denies the charges.
John Jr. is one of the Jacksons' three biological children.
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