Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

    Case Of B.C. Man Accused Of Posting Terrorist Propaganda Online Going To Trial

    Case Of B.C. Man Accused Of Posting Terrorist Propaganda Online Going To Trial
    Hamdan was arrested in Fort St. John in July 2015 and accused of posting Islamic State propaganda online.

    Case Of B.C. Man Accused Of Posting Terrorist Propaganda Online Going To Trial

    Canadian Vacations End For Two Texans Who Brought Guns Along On Separate Trips

    Canadian Vacations End For Two Texans Who Brought Guns Along On Separate Trips
    Crown attorney Peter Thorn said the men, both retirees in their 50s from the Dallas area, came separately across the border with their wives at St. Stephen, N.B.

    Canadian Vacations End For Two Texans Who Brought Guns Along On Separate Trips

    Ralph Goodale Urges Public Discussion On Police Access To Passwords And Digital Data

    Ralph Goodale Urges Public Discussion On Police Access To Passwords And Digital Data
    OTTAWA — The federal public safety minister says Canadians need to consider how far police should be allowed to go in accessing their electronic devices and communications.

    Ralph Goodale Urges Public Discussion On Police Access To Passwords And Digital Data

    Montreal Bans New Pit Bulls; Plans To Phase Out Animal On Territory

    MONTREAL — The City of Montreal is forbidding new pit bulls on its territory.

    Montreal Bans New Pit Bulls; Plans To Phase Out Animal On Territory

    Toronto Issues 'Private Transportation Company' Licence To UberX

    Toronto Issues 'Private Transportation Company' Licence To UberX
    The licence, which was issued Tuesday, puts Uber's transportation service UberX into a category that's separate from taxis or limos.

    Toronto Issues 'Private Transportation Company' Licence To UberX

    Feds Eyeing Mandatory Counselling For Terror Suspects Under Peace Ponds: Ralph Goodale

    Feds Eyeing Mandatory Counselling For Terror Suspects Under Peace Ponds: Ralph Goodale
    Ralph Goodale floated the idea one week after jihadi sympathizer Aaron Driver was killed by police in Strathroy, Ont.

    Feds Eyeing Mandatory Counselling For Terror Suspects Under Peace Ponds: Ralph Goodale