San Jose Mercury News
April 11, 2009
http://www.mercurynews.com/topstories/ci_12119398?nclick_check=1
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| Melissa Chantel Huckaby |
Carlos Martinez, a handyman for the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park where both Sandra Cantu and Melissa Huckaby lived, remembered seeing Sandra going into Huckaby's home about two weeks ago to play with Huckaby's daughter.
According to Martinez, Huckaby's two young children never played outside with the other children in the neighborhood.
"Kids here are raised to play by themselves, go to the park, kick a ball around," Martinez said. "Her kids never played outside. Sandra was the only girl I've ever seen go inside."
3:06 p.m.: Mother of Chandra Levy appears with Sandra Cantu's family
Susan Levy of nearby Modesto, mother of slain Washington intern Chandra Levy, appeared arm-in-arm with Angie and Joe Chavez, Sandra Cantu's aunt and uncle, as they spoke with reporters.
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| In Tracy, Calif., on Saturday, April 11, 2009, Jessica Tova, of... |
Levy said she was there to support the family as they, too, dealt with the tragic loss of a child. Authorities recently issued an arrest warrant in the 2001 Levy killing.
2:55 p.m.: Melissa Huckaby is on suicide watch, officials say
San Joaquin County sheriff's Deputy Les Garcia said Melissa Huckaby is on suicide watch in an observation cell away from other inmates for her own safety, though there have been no incidents. Huckaby is refusing visits, he said.
2:45 p.m.: Former employer talks about Huckaby
According to the Associated Press: Huckaby worked as a checker at a Food for Less grocery store in a strip mall just east of the mobile park for nearly four years, until she was fired sometime in 2004, said Matt Duncan, an assistant manager at the store now known as FoodMaxx.
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| In Tracy, Calif., on Saturday, April 11, 2009, Sandra Cantu's... |
"I wouldn't have anything bad to say about her, until now," said Duncan, who has worked at the store off-and-on for about 10 years. "I would've never suspected her to do something like this."
10:40 a.m.: Police: Sunday school teacher only suspect in Sandra Cantu slaying
Tracy police spokesman Sgt. Tony Sheneman has wrapped up the 30-minute news conference on the arrest of Melissa Huckaby in the slaying of Sandra Cantu.
Huckaby was emotional at various times during her interview with police, including when she was handcuffed. He would not say whether Huckaby's statement amounted to a confession.
He said he was told Huckaby was not at the first vigil for Sandra, but there was an indication from people at the second that she attended that one.
Sheneman said: "Professionally, while we're confident and pleased an arrest has been made, it will not reverse what happened. There's no joy in this."
Asked what people should learn from the fact that a woman is suspected in the slaying, he said, "You have to be 100 percent aware of who your children are talking to."
The farm workers who found the suitcase have refused to accept any reward money, he said.
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| In Tracy, Calif., on Saturday, April 11, 2009, Tracy Police... |
10:29 a.m.: Police: DA will say whether they believe slaying of Sandra was premeditated
Asked about a motive, Sheneman said, "I can't discuss that."
Whether the slaying was premeditated will be up to the District Attorney to decide in filing the charges, Sheneman said. He said police do have an indication whether it was premeditated, but he would not elaborate.
Asked whether Huckaby's child was taken into protective custody, he said, "You can make that presumption but I can't confirm anything."
The arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Manteca courthouse, but may change.
10:22 a.m.: Police believe they know where slaying occurred
More from Tracy police spokesman Sgt. Tony Sheneman:
Melissa Huckaby did not have a lawyer with her when she talked to police last night.
Sandra's family was in disbelief when they learned the suspect was someone they knew.
Will not speculate on whether she was molested. The autopsy results and search warrants are still sealed.
Police questioned her twice before Thursday.
"It's usual for a woman statistically, according to the FBI, for a woman to be involved in anything like this."
Police believe they know where the slaying occurred but won't say where.
10:14 a.m.: No other suspects in Sandra Cantu slaying
Comments from Tracy police spokesman Sgt. Tony Sheneman:
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| In Tracy, Calif., on Saturday, April 11, 2009, from left Sandra... |
Booked on suspicion of kidnapping and murder. Melissa drove herself to the police department to participate in an interview at 11 p.m. Spoke to us til 1:30 a.m. After, she was transported to San Joaquin County Jail.
Many agencies worked "to bring this case to closure."
"There are no other suspects in this case. We do not anticipate any other arrests."
10:04 a.m.: Awaiting start of news conference on arrest of Melissa Huckaby in Sandra Cantu slaying
We're minutes away from the start of the news conference. No one at the podium yet.
News conference on arrest of Melissa Huckaby in Sandra Cantu slaying
Authorities have scheduled a 10 a.m. news conference Saturday following the arrest overnight of Sunday school teacher Melissa Huckaby in the slaying of 8-year-old Tracy girl Sandra Cantu.
Live updates from the news conference will be reported here.
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