STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) — A prominent criminal defense attorney will help defend the Tracy woman accused of killing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu and stuffing the girl's body into a suitcase.
San Francisco attorney Michael Burt, who has represented the "Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez and Lyle Menendez among others, will work on Melissa Huckaby's case alongside public defender Sam Behar.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against the 28-year-old former Sunday school teacher, who is charged with murdering, raping and kidnapping Cantu. She has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Officials say the money to pay Burt will come from a special fund in the public defender's office for death penalty cases.
Meanwhile, Behar Friday filed motions to suppress evidence and dismiss the indictment against Huckaby.
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Information from: Contra Costa Times
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