Granby stepmother takes stand, insists she never intended for seven-year-old girl to die
WARNING: Details in this story may be disturbing to some people.
The Granby stepmother accused of killing a seven-year-old girl took the stand in her own defence Monday.
The woman, who can’t be identified due to a publication ban, is facing charges of second-degree murder and illegal confinement.
The 38-year-old woman appeared at the Trois-Rivieres courthouse, shackled in the witness stand.
The Crown’s theory is that the girl died after her entire body was bound in adhesive tape.
In his opening remarks, the stepmother’s lawyer told the jury it was never his client’s intention to cause the death. She said the girl was very troubled, and would scratch and mutilate herself until she bled, and punch herself.
The stepmother told the court the girl was restrained after she crawled out of her window the night before and tried to run away.
The publication ban forbids media from reporting on many aspects of the case.
“I never thought she would die. She was in crisis. I bound her to prevent her from hurting herself and running away,” the stepmother said, crying uncontrollably.
She said she taped the child from head to toe, but insists she did not put tape over her mouth. She said she left the girl in her bedroom and went to the kitchen and when she returned later, she said the girl was not breathing.
The woman said she tried to do revive her but didn’t know how.
At that point, 911 was called and the girl was taken to hospital. The stepmother was taken to the police station and she’s been detained ever since.
The Crown will cross-examine the stepmother on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.