Close X
Monday, December 2, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trial starts for dad charged in daughter's murder after body found in suitcase

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Oct, 2015 11:04 AM

    TORONTO — A trial has begun in Toronto for a father charged in the death of his daughter, whose charred body was found in a burning suitcase 21 years ago.

    Everton Biddersingh has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Melonie Biddersingh. He has pleaded not guilty.

    Melonie's body was found in a burning suitcase in an industrial area north of Toronto in 1994, but her identity remained a mystery for years until police got a tip that gave them a break in the case.

    That tip allowed them to identify the body after visiting the girl's biological mother in Jamaica and obtaining a DNA sample.

    Everton Biddersingh and Melonie's stepmother, Elaine Biddersingh, were arrested in March 2012 and charged with first-degree murder.

    Elaine Biddersingh's trial is set to begin in April 2016.

    Crown lawyer Anna Tenhouse says Melonie was treated like a slave, beaten, starved and emotionally abused before her death.

    Tenhouse says the prosecution will seek to prove that Biddersingh murdered his daughter and then disposed of her body so she would never be identified.

    "After hearing all the evidence, we will be asking you to find Mr. Biddersingh guilty of first-degree murder. The planned and deliberate murder of Melonie Biddersingh," Tenhouse told the jury hearing the case.

    Image: Melonie Biddersingh pictured here in a Toronto Police Service handout photo

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Psychiatrist Tells Guy Turcotte's Trial He Was Anxious, Suicidal After Arrest

    The first psychiatrist to see Guy Turcotte after his arrest and transfer to a mental hospital in 2009 says he diagnosed him with an anxiety adjustment disorder and says he was in a suicidal state.

    Psychiatrist Tells Guy Turcotte's Trial He Was Anxious, Suicidal After Arrest

    This B.C. Couple Hoping For One Baby Gets One-In-50-Million Triplets Surprise

    This B.C. Couple Hoping For One Baby Gets One-In-50-Million Triplets Surprise
    For Mahalia Meeuwsen and her husband Mike, just having one baby seemed like a miracle.

    This B.C. Couple Hoping For One Baby Gets One-In-50-Million Triplets Surprise

    Justin Trudeau And Family To Live In Rideau Cottage, Not 24 Sussex

    Justin Trudeau And Family To Live In Rideau Cottage, Not 24 Sussex
    The cottage is actually a two-storey Georgian Revival brick home built in 1866-67 to serve as a home for the secretary to the governor general

    Justin Trudeau And Family To Live In Rideau Cottage, Not 24 Sussex

    Indian-Canadian Son Charged With Murdering 41-Year-Old Mother In Mississauga

    Indian-Canadian Son Charged With Murdering 41-Year-Old Mother In Mississauga
    Kunal Bhavan, 20, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder for the death of his 41-year-old mother Vaishali Patel 

    Indian-Canadian Son Charged With Murdering 41-Year-Old Mother In Mississauga

    CMHC Expects Housing Market To Moderate; Starts, Sales To Slow In 2016 And 2017

    CMHC Expects Housing Market To Moderate; Starts, Sales To Slow In 2016 And 2017
    The average MLS price is forecast at between $417,000 and $459,000 this year with a point forecast of $437,700, before rising to between $420,000 and $466,000 in 2016

    CMHC Expects Housing Market To Moderate; Starts, Sales To Slow In 2016 And 2017

    Winnipeg Teen Girl Shot With Gun Allegedly Stolen From RCMP Vehicle At Officer's Home

    Winnipeg Teen Girl Shot With Gun Allegedly Stolen From RCMP Vehicle At Officer's Home
    Winnipeg police say a 16-year-old girl was shot early Saturday morning after an altercation in a convenience store parking lot.

    Winnipeg Teen Girl Shot With Gun Allegedly Stolen From RCMP Vehicle At Officer's Home