Formal sentencing is scheduled for Monday in Toronto for a woman convicted of second-degree murder in the death of her stepdaughter more than two decades ago. Elaine Biddersingh was convicted in June in the death of 17-year-old Melonie Biddersingh, whose frail body was found in a burning suitcase in an industrial parking lot north of Toronto in 1994. Her 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. Melonie’s father, Everton Biddersingh, was found guilty in January of first-degree murder in his daughter’s death, which carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. Second degree murder also carries an automatic life sentence but the court has more latitude on fixing parole eligibility.

Source: thestar September 19, 2016 12:22 UTC