Sunday School Teacher Strikes Plea Deal: Avoids Death Penalty!!

A plea deal has been struck today May 10, 2010, in the case where a California Sunday School teacher accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering her daughter's playmate, 8-year-old Sandra Cantu was been spared the death sentence in exchange for life without parole.

Melissa Huckaby, 29, pleaded guilty to murder with special circumstance of kidnapping and killing Sandra at the San Joaquin County Superior Court in Stockton, California. Huckaby stuffed the child’s body in a suitcase and dumped it in an irrigation pond near the mobile home park the both parties shared.

Other charges were dropped at part of the plea deal, including rape with an instrument and lewd or lascivious conduct with a child.

Sandra's remains were found in 2009 on April 6. It had been 10 days since the second-grader had been seen on a surveillance camera, skipping to Huckaby's home for a play date with her daughter.

During the hearing, Huckably was questioned by Judge Linda Lofthus about her mental state. Huckaby has taken prescription medication for depression while incarcerated and has been placed on suicide watch while in jail.

"Are you having any problems today?" Lofthus asked Huckaby, according to media reports. "No, I'm not," Huckaby replied.

When Lofthus asked if she felt OK, Huckaby replied: "I'm currently stable on my medication."

Reports said Huckaby appeared calm throughout the hearing, even smiling as she spoke to her attorneys before the hearing began.

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