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Category: News Author : AHN Posted: September 11, 2009
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Death Penalty Sought For CA Sunday School Teacher In Rape, Murder Case



Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in a case against a former California Sunday school teach who allegedly murdered an 8-year-old girl. In addition to murder, Melissa Huckaby, 28, is also charged with kidnapping along with lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 and rape by instrument.
In July, Huckaby was indicted on a murder charge and three special circumstances in the death of Sandra Cantu. According to court documents she allegedly killed the young girl during the commission of a rape making her eligible for execution if convicted. Huckaby was also accused of sexually assaulting a child younger than 10.
Eight-year-old Sandra Cantu’s body was found April 6th in the bottom of a lake stuffed into a suitcase. The victim was last seen alive March 27 in the mobile home park where her family resides. Huckaby’s daughter was a playmate of the victim and they also lived in the same Tracy, California mobile home park.
Huckaby’s grandfather Clifford Lane Lawless serves as pastor of the nearby church, Clover Road Baptist where she taught Sunday School. During the initial investigation the church was thoroughly searched by law enforcement officials.
In addition to the charges surrounding Cantu’s death, Huckaby also faces charges for allegedly poisoning two people, one being a 7-year-old girl.
During Thursday’s hearing in San Joaquin County Superior Court, Huckaby pleaded not guilty. In a move believed to be foreshadowing a strategy by the defense Judge Linda Lofthus revealed that Huckaby’s lawyer had hired a change-of-venue expert from California State University Chico, suggesting that Huckaby wants to move her trial elsewhere.
Lofthus also denied Huckaby’s motion to remove her lawyer Deputy Public Defender Sam Behar, from the case. However, she did enact a gag order, thereby preventing lawyers from talking about the case outside court.
Huckaby’s next court date is Sept. 25, at which time the judge could set a trial date, possibly in March.

melissa huckaby

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in a case against a former California Sunday school teach who allegedly murdered an 8-year-old girl. In addition to murder, Melissa Huckaby, 28, is also charged with kidnapping along with lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 and rape by instrument.

In July, Huckaby was indicted on a murder charge and three special circumstances in the death of Sandra Cantu. According to court documents she allegedly killed the young girl during the commission of a rape making her eligible for execution if convicted. Huckaby was also accused of sexually assaulting a child younger than 10.

Eight-year-old Sandra Cantu’s body was found April 6th in the bottom of a lake stuffed into a suitcase. The victim was last seen alive March 27 in the mobile home park where her family resides. Huckaby’s daughter was a playmate of the victim and they also lived in the same Tracy, California mobile home park.

Huckaby’s grandfather Clifford Lane Lawless serves as pastor of the nearby church, Clover Road Baptist where she taught Sunday School. During the initial investigation the church was thoroughly searched by law enforcement officials.

In addition to the charges surrounding Cantu’s death, Huckaby also faces charges for allegedly poisoning two people, one being a 7-year-old girl.

During Thursday’s hearing in San Joaquin County Superior Court, Huckaby pleaded not guilty. In a move believed to be foreshadowing a strategy by the defense Judge Linda Lofthus revealed that Huckaby’s lawyer had hired a change-of-venue expert from California State University Chico, suggesting that Huckaby wants to move her trial elsewhere.

Lofthus also denied Huckaby’s motion to remove her lawyer Deputy Public Defender Sam Behar, from the case. However, she did enact a gag order, thereby preventing lawyers from talking about the case outside court.

Huckaby’s next court date is Sept. 25, at which time the judge could set a trial date, possibly in March.

Related posts:

  1. California Teen Sweethearts In Murder-Suicide
  2. Dena Riley Pleads Guilty in Videotaped Sex Killing Case
  3. Nancy Garrido Receiving Rape, Death Threats From Inmates Also Has Judge Issue $30 Million Bail
  4. Teacher Todd Henry stabbed to death at John Tyler High School in Texas
  5. Florida Man Wrongly Convicted Of Rape, Murder Freed After 26 Years In Prison


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