Courts - California Sunday school teacher gets life term for girl's murder

STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) -- A Sunday school teacher who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and murdering a neighbor girl in Northern California made a tearful apology to the victim's family Monday as she was sentenced to prison for the rest of her life. A San Joaquin County judge sentenced Melissa Huckaby, 29, to a life term without parole, as part of a plea deal that took the death penalty off the table. Huckaby entered her surprise plea last month to first-degree murder with a special circumstance of kidnapping in the death of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu of Tracy, whose body was found in a suitcase pulled from an irrigation pond. All other charges, including allegations that Huckaby sexually abused the girl, were dropped at part of the deal with prosecutors. Sandra Cantu was a playmate of the defendant's daughter. Huckaby apologized to Sandra's family during the sentencing, particularly addressing the girl's mother, Maria Chavez, but still offered no motive for the killing. "She did not suffer, and I did not sexually molest her," Huckaby said. "I'm asking you, Maria, for your forgiveness. I can't imagine forgiving someone who harmed my daughter. I hope someday you can forgive me." Prosecutors played a video depicting Sandra's short life during the hearing, bringing many in the courtroom including Huckaby to tears. Authorities have released few details about the killing. San Joaquin County Judge Linda Lofthus lifted a gag order at the sentencing and was set to consider whether to unseal documents in the case. Published: Tue, Jun 15, 2010

––––––––––––––––––––
 Subscribe to the Legal News!
 https://test.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available