Close X
Friday, November 29, 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

    GM Workers In Oshawa, Ont., Brace For 'The Fight Of Our Lives' In Auto Talks

    GM Workers In Oshawa, Ont., Brace For 'The Fight Of Our Lives' In Auto Talks
    OSHAWA, Ont. — Just over a year ago, Corina and Joe Colacicco — both employees at the General Motors facility in Oshawa, Ont. — sold their house and bought a bigger one to accommodate their growing family.

    GM Workers In Oshawa, Ont., Brace For 'The Fight Of Our Lives' In Auto Talks

    Alberta Premier Rachel Notley Walks In Pride Parade, Says Province Has Made Big Strides

    Alberta Premier Rachel Notley Walks In Pride Parade, Says Province Has Made Big Strides
    CALGARY — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the province has made big strides in improving sexual minority rights.

    Alberta Premier Rachel Notley Walks In Pride Parade, Says Province Has Made Big Strides

    Coast Guard Emphasizes Safety On Water After 1,500 Americans Float Into Canada

    Coast Guard Emphasizes Safety On Water After 1,500 Americans Float Into Canada
    The image of hundreds of Americans on inflatable rafts and makeshift platforms bobbing helplessly down the St. Clair River as strong winds pushed them towards the Canadian shore is one Peter Garapick isn't going to forget.

    Coast Guard Emphasizes Safety On Water After 1,500 Americans Float Into Canada

    Former Alberta Lieutenant Governor, CFL Pioneer Norman Kwong Dead At 86

    Former Alberta Lieutenant Governor, CFL Pioneer Norman Kwong Dead At 86
    Norman Kwong, who was the first Chinese Canadian to play in the CFL and who later served as Alberta's lieutenant governor, died Saturday at the age of 86.

    Former Alberta Lieutenant Governor, CFL Pioneer Norman Kwong Dead At 86

    Smoke Detected On WestJet Flight Causes Detour For Ottawa-Bound Passengers

    REGINA — Passengers on a WestJet flight bound for Ottawa found themselves making an unexpected detour to Regina on Saturday.

    Smoke Detected On WestJet Flight Causes Detour For Ottawa-Bound Passengers

    Transit Police Probing Strange Fight In Metro Vancouver Bus Involving 2 Women, Man In Wheelchair

    Transit Police Probing Strange Fight In Metro Vancouver Bus Involving 2 Women, Man In Wheelchair
    Transit Police are looking into a violent incident that occurred on a TransLink bus 106 near the New Westminster SkyTrain station.  

    Transit Police Probing Strange Fight In Metro Vancouver Bus Involving 2 Women, Man In Wheelchair