Julie Robat

PROVIDENCE — The second sister of Julie Robat took the stand Monday as a prosecution witness in her trial on charges that she suffocated her newborn baby in a garbage bag in the family home in North Providence on Oct. 30, 2006.

Late last week, Marie E. Robat, 22, took the Superior Court stand. On Monday, Christine Robat, 29, also testified before the jury and Judge Robert D. Krause concerning the events of that day. Both sisters are testifying in exchange for immunity from prosecution in the murder case against Julie Robat, 33.

It was in the early morning hours in the split-level ranch at 6 Lori Drive, both sisters have testified, that they tried to help their older sister, who was bleeding. Both said they did not know she had given birth. The police, later that day, found the body of the baby stuffed beneath a washer and dryer in the downstairs laundry room.

Marie Robat had testified that Julie told both sisters, after she was taken to Women & Infants Hospital, that she had delivered in the house. But Christine Robat testified she learned that from North Providence detective Frank Santoro, the lead investigator in the case.

Under aggressive daylong questioning by both prosecution and defense lawyers, Christine Robat said she saw Julie moving down the stairs from the bathroom to the laundry room by sliding, seated, from one step to the next. Marie Robat had testified she saw Julie walk down the stairs carrying a laundry basket.

Both sisters testified they left Julie alone in the laundry room.

mreynold@projo.com