Suspect in slaying of California girl found in suitcase due in court

Suspect in Calif. girl’s slaying due in court

STOCKTON, Calif. — A woman accused of raping and murdering an 8-year-old Northern California girl is due for her second court appearance on Friday.

Twenty-eight-year-old Melissa Huckaby was recently assigned a new public defender, Sam Behar (BAY’har). He says he hasn’t received any evidence from prosecutors. Experts say that means he’s likely to ask for it during the court hearing in Stockton.

Huckaby’s April 10 arrest came days after Sandra Cantu’s body was found in a suitcase pulled from an irrigation pond. Huckaby faces a charge of murder with special circumstances.

Investigators on Thursday revisited the Tracy church where Huckaby was a volunteer Sunday school teacher and her grandfather is the pastor. They were seen removing items from the church.