Sandra Cantu Murder: Huckaby Pleads Guilty To Serve Life
Tracy, CA– This morning, Melissa Huckaby, facing the death penalty in the sexual assault and murder of 8 year old Sandra Cantu, has plead guilty to one of those charges in exchange for a life sentence.
Huckaby is due back in court for formal sentencing on June 14.
Check back to blinkoncrime for further developments.
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Gag order is still in effect.
Yes, it is. Not going to much coming out about this until after sentencing.
B
This guilty plea by Huckaby does little to satisfy my idea of justice for this little girl–why? Do you think that the gag order will eventually be lifted? There must be more to this story.
No doubt. And if there isn’t, I will personally FOIA the case file.
B
Poor little Sandra. God rest her soul. This monster will disappear, I hope for the rest of her days in prison. For the rest of her days on Earth. May it be so. Never to be among us again.
RIP sweet child. Life in prision is too good for this animal. She truly deserves the DEATH PENALTY! May she face the tortures of hell in prision…….
Yes they will lift it but the judge said things were moving to fast and wanted some time to think about the gag order. I can tell you this, when it is lifted we will have a lot to say.
I have already spoken to some witnesses this morning that would agree with that.
Specifically-
Huckaby also had been charged with previously drugging a 7-year-old girl and a 37-year-old man, whom police believe she had been dating. Those charges also were dropped in the plea deal.
How did Mr. Plowman agree to that? He was actually arrested as a result of the drugging.
Their IS an active IAD investigation re: Nate Cogburn, the Detective.
I am hearing they were in danger of losing evidence or suppression of same.
B
I am both surprised by and thankful for this plea. Saves a lot of time and money, spares Sandra’s family the pain and anguish of the trial, and California doesn’t put their death row inmates to death, anyway, so what is the point?
Rest in peace, Sandra, and may God bless and comfort the Cantu family.
Blink-this is the case which led my wife and I to your site…it is very close to home…I have been wondering about this case, and what ever came of the “tracy 60″ or any possible link to a ring of pervs…any news on that?? TIA
There is still a gag order in this case, so not that I am aware of, but I do not believe this is the last we will hear about this case.
B
Hi Blink-
What are the investigating (re: Nate Cogburn)?
I know there was talk that she may have had help doing this? Is that still the case?
If she’s plead guilty–one would think she acted alone.
Peggy
IAD is internal affairs, there was some issues regarding the legality of her confession, Nate Cogburn is one of the detectives that interviewed her.
B
I am glad she plead out. I really didn’t want this to go on forever and sadly a trial would have been lengthy. It saves the Chavez family so much grief a trial would have caused and the city of Tracy can try to return to normal and put this whole ordeal behind us. That is once the gag order is lifted. I think we all want to know what the evidence was and a possible reason for what she did.
Blink – 2 questions. Once the gag order is lifted how will the public have access to it? (hopefully you). Secondly do you think they will have Melissa allocute at sentencing???
Tracymom
While I am not Cal- code fluent in this regard, my working knowledge leads me to believe that she will have to at least topically in order for the judge to accept the plea.
I am just not ready to clap on this one, and I can’t put my finger it outside of an investigative issue.
B
Such a strange case. I hope that poor little baby girl is resting in peace.
Did anyone else see the Oprah episode regarding the island off Seattle (i think) where there is an institution for sex offenders who have been civilly committed after their sentences? Of all the offenders there, there was one female. Lisa Ling visited the institution and interviewed the inmates. I am interested to learn more about the whys of this particular case since it is so rare to see a woman sex offender.
Maybe this is the best that LE can get due to problems with interviews and evidence. If ever a person needs to be put away for good, this one does.
It is going to cost the people of California about $35,000.00 a year to keep her in prison. It is a lot cheaper just to put them to sleep.
There is so much I want to say. Grrrrr
Well unless your a lawyer or a direct sworn party, there is nothing keeping you
B
Here is an interesting article that states that Sandra is believed to have been killed in the church building and that the murder isn’t thought to have been sexually motivated. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/12/national/main4937253.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4937253
But being the ex spouse of a witness they had to put me under it.
I know who you are, and look forward to hearing your story when you feel appropriate.
Outside of that, I hope her conviction brings you at least a sense of closure.
B
Her memory has started to fade from the minds of my children so it must be the same for the ones that were to testify against her. So maybe it is better this way.
Imo, there are tox results to back up the drugged 7 year old, what others are you referring to?
B
Blink, I was just reading the old posts under earlier links on this case and have to commend you on your amazingly thick skin. Not only are you a brilliant person, but you are tough as hell. Keep on keepin on. :O)
TY, it is a rough road some days, there is more to this case, of that I am sure.
B
I hope they don’t just close the book on this case with this plea. I don’t think Melissa acted alone, and I do think she was influenced by her weird family. No excuses, but she shouldn’t take the fall while others get off scott free.
Melissa Huckaby the daughter of a minister. Sandra Cantu skipping happily and caught on video.
We think all “bad guys” are men. Women are murderers too.
On the news tonight there was something about a woman about 50 in a van trying to pick up two preteen girls on mothers day.
When you have “the talk” with your girls. Remind them not all women are good women. Some are the “boogie woman”!
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Very sad story. It was terrible when that happened. I live in Northern California and it really was a very huge thing there. I believe Melissa’s entire family is strange especially the grandfather.
My bet is on her whole family and church being a group of pedophiles. She was most likely also a child victim. These creeps just keep moving to different towns and churches and changing their names, If I recall correctly. I think about this case often and will never get the image of SaNdra skipping out of my mind. And the rumour that the backdrop in possible videos was the same as in many other underground videos. SICKNESS. It haunts me. These people are a part of a huge freak child porn ring. I hope they catch them all and that they get what they deserve in prison. In general population.
I’m just waiting to see if she flips flops since she does go from one extreme to another. I don’t think the rabbit has been pulled out of the hat yet.
From a technical perspective, this is a gift, I do not expect her to flip.
B
Blink, I firmly do not believe she acted alone and/or was not influenced by others to do what she did. I am grateful Sandra’s family will have some closure without all the stress of a trial. But some of us worked for weeks, maybe months, searching for a connection with other pervs. In my heart I believe there is a connection, we just didn’t find it because in mid-stride we moved to Lindsey Baum’s case to try and find her. The work we did isn’t the important part, that all who are accountable are brought to justice is the most important part. IMHO there is still work to be done and if she doesn’t allocute in full . . .
Blink, I do agree with you that there is something not quite finished with this and I too have never been able to put my finger on it. I am constantly wondering, is it simply impossible to accept that a woman did this alone but I always come to the same thought process. It’s possible, but…………….
As for the allocution I figured it wouldn’t be in detail. Just basically the same questions she answered today. Maybe a bit more. I’m looking forward to whatever else you find out. I don’t post often but I am an avid reader. You do good work!
I too am looking forward to when the gag order is lifted as Silentone has always seemed to know more about the case. I hope all involved in this are finding peace!
Tracymom
Life without parole is fine with me, especially since she’s pleading which means she waives any and all appeals. What an evil woman.
May she suffer every day of her miserable life behind bars and then burn in Hell forever.
Blink,
This was also the case that connected me to your site. I must admit
it was a jolt to see Melissa’s face staring back at me when I logged on tonight. All these cases touch each and every one of us in some way. I find myself a little chocked up right now. Even after all this time I am so saddened by the loss of that little angel.
God Bless her
Isn’t that why they put a hold on lifting the gag order? Because the judge feels things are moving to quickly and they worry about her stability?
Personally, I believe it is too protect the integrity of the plea and the defendants rights.
I dont know what she has access to in terms of media in prison.
B
This case here is the one I just can’t take, I pray for this family and hope that this monsters never see’s the light of day.
Rest Little Angel
I forget the exact # of people on death row in Cal. but it is huge, I am more than happy she will be in the general population, I’m sure all the prisoners there are bad ,but her life will not be worth spit beause of the hideous act she inflected on that innocent little girl.
I am glad that she has pled guilty. Then the family doesnt have to be put under the horror of a trial. She is away from children for good. I agree with the death penalty which I think is appropriate here but in Ca as others say they arent ever put to death so it is like a life sentence.
I wish Casey would just go ahead and plead guilty too and save everyone from the taxpayers to the familys and jurors.
I agree with so many people who have posted, this is also the case that brought me to BOC. I was shocked to see MH photo starring at me, this girl’s an evil monster, there has to be many thing’s in her past/her weirdo family’s past, that caused this. It’s something we can learn from.
TexasGrandfather, you are so cool! I always read your posts. Thanks for saving that lady!!!
Sandra Cantu, god bless her! Sadly she skipped right into a monster!
MH must not be very welcomed in prison, I would imagine she has to be kept away from the other inmates….? Imagine the real bad ones with kids!!! I would rather Cali. put her down, and not waste the money on such a sick person. I feel so sorry for SC’s family, god bless their hearts. I will teach my kids to also look out for “women” monsters….How sad!
Thanks blink for keeping us up on the case.
FYI, I just saw this, I believe we had discussed this a while back when the MH case was first happening, but here it is again…just disgusting.
http://www.kcra.com/news/23519904/detail.html
This is the point – at the pre-trial hearing – that I have predicted that Casey Anthony will take a plea too. Same as Sandra. Casey will NOT be able to listen to all the negative scenarios that the prosecution will lay out to the jurors. She will get a taste of it in future court proceedings and when it comes down to the wire, she will cave. Right now, she has the bolstering-up of her team of lawyers that keep her floating high above the clouds and they are promising her the world. She has only seen little snippets of reality in the courtroom. As soon as the truth is being thrown around in the court room, she will be done. She cannot take 2 months of listening to the state dredge up her vile ways. I am counting on the narcissist in her coming out, and narcissists cannot take discomfort of any kind. A 2 month trial will be too much for her. JMO
Dear Lord,help us ,I looked at that face well.When I pray tonight I will pray for his capture and especially that there be no child harmed by this MONSTER!!!!WHY ARE THERE MONSTERS LIKE THIS!!!!
Sorry for the yelling Blink angry beyond measure,blessing to those who track down this slime.R
Another sick tragedy that could have been avoided if prior crimes had put her in jail, and/or if her mental illness had been addressed. We can be mad at her and see her as a monster—she is. She’s sick. But I also see this as another failure of us as a society.
Pam in SC
May 11th at 1:42
I believe you are correct. I think it depends on the type of facility they place Melissa. If she ends up in a state mental facility she may be okay (not that I give a @#$%) but if they place
her in a regular state pension, I doubt she will be alive within her first year.
The spanish gang community inside those facilities are so strong, her life is going to be a living hell without a doubt! This is not a racial statement; I am hispanic it is just simply a fact that there is a “we take care of our own” mentallity.
Opps! Sorry edit: prison not pension
doesnt one of the charges “lewd and lascivious” mean that she was taping or photographing and distributing or being watched?
just my humble thought…
suz, I hear what you are saying and I agree society (us) have a responsibility too. However, MH came from a family of “nurturers”? Assuredly they knew about their daughter/granddaughter’s problems. I believe they are very responsible for neglecting to get her help a long time ago and even right before all this happened. JMHO
Sorry Blink, old woman here. What is FOIA?
My Bad-
I am the acronym queen, sorry.
Freedom of Information Act
B
kyrasmommy :
lewd and lascivious adj., adv. references to conduct which includes people living together who are known not to be married, entertainment which aims at arousing the libido or primarily sexual sensation, open solicitation for prostitution, or indecent exposure of genitalia (which is itself a crime). Due to the tendency of judges to be overly careful in writing about moral and/or sexual matters the definitions have been cloaked in old-fashioned modesty. Today the term usually applies to pornography, prostitution, and indecent acts.
Blink.. Or anyone…
What is FOIA??
-Robbie
It is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Blink-
I just read the plea that Melissa entered. I see that this plea allows the court to drop the rape, lewd and lascivious act against a minor charges from Melissa’s case. I also read that they she would have no chance for parole.
Is this true? Without the sex act against a child under the age of 14 would there be any possibility that she could get parole later. I have seen so many cases where a person pleads guilty to murder and serve sometimes a ridiculously small amount of time behind bars.
Also, the district attorney stated that he would not be surprised to see Melissa change her plea due to her mental state and medications.
I just wonder if she made the plea to take the fall for anyone else (mainly her family and fellow church goers) that may have been involved. Melissa pleads guilty there is no trial and no chance of bringing forth evidence against anyone else.
Sister, yes! Sometimes I think her whole family should go to jail.
I think Huckaby is truly insane and I’m OK with her being locked up for life, and yeah, some more of her family need to be investigated. But that vile Casey Anthony. I just want to reach through the TV screen and….. It’s difficult to even make up my mind on a worthy ending for her. The William Wallace old drawn and quartered bit is is interesting, the disemboweling aspect has merit…. I’ve read a lot of history on Chirachahua Apaches and they employed some very creative torture they picked up from the early Spanish who utilized methods of torture popular during the Inquisition. And anytime fights over religion are involved, the “My God’s better than your God” all kinds of creative torture and killing emerge thanks to The Crusades. I have a whole section of my floor to ceiling bookcases – hand made by Greg – my cleaning lady’s brother-in -law who learned carpentry while in the Virginia State Prison. He also does great cement work and one brother is a plumber and another an electrician thank you VSP system !!!
mizFitz- thnx thats what I mean…so Im sure there is more to this
in light of todays headlines, the sweet angel murdered by his own mother and whatever you should call him…ENOUGH WITH INNOCENT BABIES BEING MURDERED!! What has this world come to
God bless
Since it’s your opinion that all I do is sit around and wait for you to make a mistake; you make it too easy. Your headline for this “article” is incorrect – Sandra Cantu Murder: Huckaby Pleads Guilty To Serve Life.
Huckaby will face a sentence of from 25 years to life in prison without parole when she is sentenced June 14. Till June 14th, we do not know what she will serve. While I doubt it will happen, she could get just 25 years.
Thank You Sir, May I have another.
B
I have been following this disturbing case from the beginning…thankfully she plead guilty since she obviously did it but what about all of the other loose ends, strange ties & other suspects? I can’t see how she could, would have done something so crazy by herself…seems fishy still…
From KCRA web site:
STOCKTON, Calif. — Details in the death of Tracy resident Sandra Cantu will not be revealed for now, a San Joaquin County judge decided Monday.
The judge said a gag order in the case remains in place, even though former Sunday school teacher Melissa Huckaby pleaded guilty to killing Cantu.
Members of Cantu’s family said they do not want any details released.
But several media organizations are arguing that the public has a right to know what happened to provoke Huckaby’s guilty plea.