Time for a Plea From Huckaby
Sunday school teacher charged with girl's rape, kidnap, murder
Friday, Jun 12, 2009 | Updated 9:35 AM PDT
AP
Friday is the fourth court appearance for Melissa Huckaby, who's charged with kidnapping, rape and murder of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu.
The Sunday school teacher charged with the sex killing of an 8-year-old Tracy girl is due in a Stockton courtroom today and San Joaquin County prosecutor Thomas Testa wants 28-year-old Melissa Huckaby to enter pleas this time.
It's going to by Huckaby's fourth court appearance since she was arrested in early April on murder, rape and kidnapping charges in the death of Sandra Cantu, whose body was stuffed into a suitcase and dumped in a canal.
Deputy District Attorney Thomas Testa wants to speed the case up so he filed a request with the court Tuesday, asking the judge to enter a plea of not guilty for Huckaby if she refuses.
Huckaby is charged with kidnapping, rape, murder and lewd and lacivious acts on a child stemming from Sandra's death in the case that grabbed national headlines.
If she is convicted of the charges, 28-year-old Huckaby could face the death penalty.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Bay Area
