6 months ago
STOCKTON, CA - The woman charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of a Tracy girl last March was indicted in San Joaquin County Superior Court Monday with what appeared to be injuries to her forehead.
Melissa Huckaby, 28, is accused of killing of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu. The girl's body was found in a suitcase in a Tracy drainage pond 10 days after she was reported missing March 27.
Although a gag order prohibits court personnel from commenting on the case, prosecutor Thomas Testa implied in court the scratches were self-inflicted to help Huckaby avoid her court appearance.
"It's very frustrating. I hope it doesn't happen again. We need to move this case along," said Testa afterward. "We have a no- nonsense judge. When she says you're coming to court, Mr. or Ms. defendant, you're coming to court."
The San Joaquin County grand jury indicted Huckaby on five counts: murder with the allegation of kidnapping; sex with a child 10 years old or younger; child abuse and endangerment; furnishing a harmful substance to a child; and furnishing a harmful substance to an adult.
The murder indictment carries two special circumstances: lewd and lascivious acts on a child, and rape by instrument.
The harmful substance indictments stem from charges prosecutors filed in May alleging Huckaby tried to poison a 7-year-old girl and a 37-year-old man. The girl recovered. The man has not been found.
Huckaby began crying when the indictment was read.
The former Sunday School teacher did not enter a plea to Monday's charges. She has previously pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges of kidnapping, rape and murder.
Prosecutors convened the grand jury in late July rather than hold a preliminary hearing to determine whether Huckaby would stand trial. A trial date has not been set.
The district attorney's office has not determined if it will seek the death penalty against Huckaby.
News10/KXTV
