State of shock
Woman found guilty in death of stepdaughter
A woman accused of killing her 17-year-old stepdaughter more than two decades ago was found guilty of second-degree murder on Monday after a trial which heard graphic evidence of the physical and emotional abuse suffered by the girl.
Elaine Biddersingh, who had been charged with first-degree murder, had pleaded not guilty in the death of Melonie Biddersingh, whose charred, malnourished 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.
“This was a very long and difficult trial,” Crown prosecutor Mary Humphrey said outside court after the verdict, which was reached following six days of deliberations. “Justice was delivered today.”
The conviction carries an automatic sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 10 years.
Elaine Biddersingh, who had been out on bail throughout the trial, shook her head slightly after a juror read out her verdict. She then picked up a Bible she’d brought into court with her and began to read.
When the judge presiding over the case ordered her into custody, Biddersingh smiled, embraced her youngest daughter, who had attended much of the trial, and then turned herself over to a court officer.
Outside court, Biddersingh’s defence lawyers said their client was in shock.
“I don’t believe she expected this verdict and I imagine she’s trying to digest it,” said Alana Page. “Probably what looked to be a smile was just a reflection of her being in shock.”
Melonie’s father, Everton Biddersingh, was found guilty in January of first-degree murder in his daughter’s death.
Elaine Biddersingh’s defence lawyers – who did not put their client on the stand or call their own evidence – suggested Melonie’s father was to blame for her death, while his wife was a victim of domestic abuse.
“While no one would ever suggest that it wasn’t terrible to live in that apartment, there was evidence as well that not only were the Biddersingh children victims, as I believe they were, but Elaine was a victim in her own right,” Page said.