Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Woman Who Killed Stepdaughter Should Serve 18-20 Years Before Parole: Crown

The Canadian Press, 06 Sep, 2016 12:22 PM
    TORONTO — Prosecutors say a woman who killed her teenage stepdaughter more than two decades ago should spend 18 to 22 years in prison before having a chance at parole.
     
    In its sentencing arguments, the Crown says Elaine Biddersingh committed an egregious breach of trust in subjecting her 17-year-old stepdaughter to "prolonged slow suffering" and was an equal partner in her death.
     
    Biddersingh was convicted in June of second-degree murder in the death of Melonie Biddersingh, whose frail body was found in a burning suitcase in an industrial parking lot north of Toronto in 1994.
     
    The teen's body went unidentified for years until 2011, when her stepmother told an Ontario pastor the girl had "died like a dog'' after being confined and denied food and medication.
     
    The conviction carries an automatic sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 10 years.
     
    Melonie's father, Everton Biddersingh, was found guilty in January of first-degree murder in his daughter's death.
     
    Elaine Biddersingh may not have beaten the teen, but Crown prosecutor Anna Tenhouse argued she was "an equal partner" to the abuse that Melonie suffered, which included food deprivation and confinement.
     
    Though she did not testify at trial, Biddersingh's lawyers suggested Melonie's father was to blame for the teen's death, while his wife was a victim of domestic abuse.
     
    Biddersingh had plenty of opportunity to save Melonie but instead committed a brutal crime against a helpless child who depended on her, Tenhouse told court.
     
    Biddersingh, who wore a dark green sweatsuit, shook her head at times during the hearing and at one point put her fingers in her ears. At other times, she clutched a Bible.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    B.C. High Court Rejects Acquittal Of Vernon Man In Dial-A-Dope Case

    B.C. High Court Rejects Acquittal Of Vernon Man In Dial-A-Dope Case
    VANCOUVER — The B.C. Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for a Vernon, B.C., man acquitted of drug charges after a lower court threw out a key search warrant.

    B.C. High Court Rejects Acquittal Of Vernon Man In Dial-A-Dope Case

    Alberta Says No Charges For U.S. Hunter Who Posted Video Of Killing Bear

    Alberta Says No Charges For U.S. Hunter Who Posted Video Of Killing Bear
    The spokesperson with Alberta Justice said the investigation into the video, posted on YouTube in June by hunter Josh Bowmar, is done and there was no evidence to suggest any law was broken.

    Alberta Says No Charges For U.S. Hunter Who Posted Video Of Killing Bear

    Quebec Man Caught Crossing Border With Sled Full Of US$1.6 Million Drugs Sentenced In Vermont

    Quebec Man Caught Crossing Border With Sled Full Of  US$1.6 Million Drugs Sentenced In Vermont
    The 21-year-old had pleaded guilty earlier this year to a single charge of possession with intent to distribute.

    Quebec Man Caught Crossing Border With Sled Full Of US$1.6 Million Drugs Sentenced In Vermont

    Trial Begins For Ontario Woman Who Gave Water To Pigs En Route To Slaughter

    Trial Begins For Ontario Woman Who Gave Water To Pigs En Route To Slaughter
    Anita Krajnc was charged after the pigs' owner filed a complaint with police shortly after the incident that occurred in June 2015 in Burlington, Ont.

    Trial Begins For Ontario Woman Who Gave Water To Pigs En Route To Slaughter

    Evacuation Order Stands As Hot Spots Flare On Wildfire Near West Kelowna, B.C.

    Evacuation Order Stands As Hot Spots Flare On Wildfire Near West Kelowna, B.C.
    WEST KELOWNA, B.C. — Services are slowly being restored to an area damaged by wildfire near West Kelowna, B.C., but an evacuation order covering 105 properties remains in effect.

    Evacuation Order Stands As Hot Spots Flare On Wildfire Near West Kelowna, B.C.

    Investel Launches Canadian Patent Infringement Case Against SnapChat Geofilters

    Investel Launches Canadian Patent Infringement Case Against SnapChat Geofilters
    Investel Capital Corp. is taking aim at SnapChat's ability to pinpoint the geographic location of its social media users.

    Investel Launches Canadian Patent Infringement Case Against SnapChat Geofilters