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[Angel Who Cares]

Cantu's Death Still Hard On Tracy
Melissa Huckaby Charged In Girl's Death
POSTED: 11:22 pm PST February 15, 2010
UPDATED: 11:53 pm PST February 15, 2010
<snipped>
It's been almost a year since the disappearance and death of Sandra Cantu, and some Tracy residents still find it difficult to talk about her death.

Members of the Cantu family told KCRA 3 they plan on holding a memorial service for Sandra on March 8, which would have been her ninth birthday.

Tracy Mayor Brent Ives said the city and its residents are stronger because of the unfortunate incident.

"There is nothing like an event that drives you together to help you realize how much you rely on one another as citizens and a community," Ives said.

Huckaby's trial is set to being Oct. 18.

Video: Mayor: Cantu's Death Brought Tracy Closer
http://www.kcra.com/video/22576055/index.html

Video: Melissa Huckaby To Be Tried In October
http://www.kcra.com/video/21870829/index.html

Video: Prominent Lawyer Joins Huckaby Defense Team
http://www.kcra.com/video/21482343/index.html

Article:
http://www.kcra.com/mostpopular/22575928/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Tight-Knit Community Plans Memorial for "Tracy's Angel"
Updated 11:38 AM PST, Tue, Feb 16, 2010
<snipped>
It's a day family and friends should be celebrating a little girl's ninth birthday, but instead they'll be gathering to remember her short life.

Family members of Sandra Cantu will gather March 8 to remember the young Central Valley girl whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase in an irrigation pond almost a year ago.

A cousin of Sandra's mother is planning the family gathering as a way for the family to focus on their love for the little girl and thank volunteers who aided in the search in 10 the following her disappearance.

"This is something simple," Janet Anderson told the Tracy Press, "that might be a good way of not concentrating on such a horrible time, but what she represents."

Article:
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/loca...Plans-Memorial-for-Tracys-Angel-84489607.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Sandra Cantu investigator named 'Officer of the Year'
Posted: 02/17/2010 01:33:58 PM PST
Updated: 02/18/2010 07:00:54 AM PST
<snipped>
The lead investigator of the Sandra Cantu homicide case has been honored as "Officer of the Year" by the local American Legion post.

Detective Timothy Bauer was recognized Saturday by Post 172 in Tracy.

As the lead detective, Bauer coordinated the efforts of hundreds of people from state and federal agencies that led to the April 10 arrest of suspect Melissa Huckaby, Sandra's neighbor. The 8-year-old disappeared March 27. Her body was found April 6 after an intense search that captured national media attention.

Huckaby, 28, who has pleaded not guilty to raping and murdering Sandra, is being held without bail at San Joaquin County Jail. Her trial has been set for Oct. 18.

In addition to Sandra's case, Bauer was the lead detective on multiple robbery and other criminal cases. He is one of the founders of the department's Shop with a Cop winter holiday program and a supporter of the Special Olympics of Northern California.

Bauer is also the department's Officer of the Year.

Article:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14419528

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Birthday celebration for Sandra Cantu
Posted: 02/26/2010 01:57:00 PM PST
Updated: 02/26/2010 02:39:48 PM PST
<snipped>
A small gathering to remember Sandra Cantu will be held on what would have been the Tracy girl's ninth birthday. The event, which is open to the community, will take place 7 p.m. March 8 at Robert Kenner Park.

Sandra went missing March 27, 2009, launching a large-scale search to locate her. Her body was found 10 days later in a suitcase in a pond not far from where she lived.

The memorial celebration has a two purposes, said Janet Anderson, a cousin of Sandra's mother, who organized the memorial: to help the family remember Sandra in a positive way and to thank the community for its support.

The event will reflect the little girl's spirit, Anderson said. "Sandra was happy every day of her life," she said.

Article:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14478245

 

[MagicRose99]

Mar 3, 2010 6:09 am US/Pacific
Cantu Case Detectives Under Internal Investigation

Internal Affairs investigators are looking into the actions of several Tracy Police detectives who investigated the murder of Sandra Cantu, according to the Stockton Record newspaper.

Murder suspect Melissa Huckaby's public defender may accuse a Tracy detective violated his client's constitutional rights — triggering the internal investigation, according to a report on the Record web site. Citing court records, the newspaper reports the violation may be related to a comment a detective made to Huckaby on the day she was arrested. The comment was not revealed in the court documents.

http://cbs13.com/crime/cantu.internal.investigation.2.1533657.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Probe targets Huckaby investigators
Defender may ask judge to toss some evidence
March 03, 2010 12:00 AM
<snipped>
Several Tracy police detectives investigating Melissa Huckaby's alleged murder and rape of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu have fallen under an internal probe themselves, court papers say. Huckaby's public defender appears ready to argue that a Tracy detective violated his client's constitutional rights - triggering the internal investigation - by making an undisclosed comment to her the day she was arrested. San Joaquin County Deputy Public Defender Sam Behar is expected to ask a judge to toss evidence out of Huckaby's upcoming death penalty trial based on the officer's alleged violation. Behar's arguments are scheduled for a weeklong hearing next month.

Behar's motion, on file at the Stockton courthouse, says that Huckaby made a statement the day she was arrested. Tracy police Detective Timothy Bauer used her statement to get a judge's signature on search warrants. But on that same day, Detective Nate Cogburn told Huckaby something that landed "several" Tracy police detectives under an internal investigation to determine if they violated any rules, Behar's motion says.

Behar says in court papers that San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Thomas Testa sent him a memo explaining the internal probe. Court papers reveal neither statement by Cogburn nor Huckaby. Behar says in the motion that he is preparing to argue that police violated his client's constitutional protection from unreasonable search and seizure. He also says he will argue that detectives illegally compelled Huckaby to make incriminating statements.

Huckaby's next appearance in a Stockton courtroom is scheduled for March 29. That's when Behar will say if he is ready to go ahead with his arguments to suppress the evidence in the hearing set to begin April 12.

Article:
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100303/A_NEWS/3030324/-1/a_news02

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Sandra Cantu suspect statement prompts Tracy police probe
3/3/10
<snipped>
Several police detectives involved in the Sandra Cantu murder case were the subject of a separate investigation regarding their role in gathering a statement from suspect Melissa Huckaby on the day she was arrested.

The Tracy Police Department's internal affairs probe was revealed in a court document filed by Huckaby's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Samuel Behar.

Behar indicated he will be making a motion to suppress a statement made by Huckaby to Det. Timothy Bauer April 10. According to Behar, Huckaby's statement was used to obtain search warrants.

Behar indicated he had additional facts supporting his motion to suppress evidence that, for reasons of confidentiality, could only be provided directly to the judge in person.

All parties in the Huckaby case are forbidden by a gag order to comment outside of court. The next court hearing in set for March 29.

Article:
http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=76501&catid=2

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Detectives accused of violating Huckaby's rights
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
<snipped>
According to the Stockton Record, one of the detectives who arrested Huckaby for the murder of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu last year may have said something that violated her rights.

Documents do not spell out exactly what was said, but Huckaby's public defender claims it was a violation of her protection from unreasonable search and seizure and is asking for some evidence to be thrown out.

A week-long hearing is scheduled for next month.

Article:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=7309611

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Sandra Cantu case: Tracy police investigating Cantu detectives
Posted: 03/03/2010 04:47:32 PM PST
Updated: 03/04/2010 07:27:54 AM PST
<snipped>
Attorney Sam Behar stated in court documents that he received a memo from prosecutor Thomas Testa saying several detectives are being investigated by their department "for whether any TPD internal rules were violated in connection with Detective Nate Cogburn's comments to Melissa Huckaby" on April 10, 2009.

Cogburn's comments were not disclosed in the court documents. The statement from Huckaby in response was used in a number of affidavits for search warrants. That statement was not available Wednesday. It is not known how many officers are being looked at, nor if they have been placed on administrative leave. In a statement released Tuesday night, Tracy police cited a gag order.

The court papers that reveal the Tracy police internal investigation were filed Jan. 21, and were part of request by Behar to get more time before a Feb. 16 hearing to suppress evidence in the case. Behar's request for more time was granted. Both sides will return to court March 29.

Behar said he wants to examine the material to see if his client's rights were violated. He also said he has not had access to all the physical evidence in the case, citing that as another reason he could not have been ready to proceed in February.

Article:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14507220

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Huckaby attorney tries to get evidence tossed
Mar 03, 2010
<snipped>
According to court records, Tracy Police are investigating whether their own detectives last April broke rules in talking to Huckaby, who is charged with the rape and murder of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu. Huckaby faces the death penalty if convicted.

Huckaby&#8217;s public defender Samuel Behar said in papers filed Jan. 25 that he was told by prosecutor Tom Testa that &#8220;several&#8221; Tracy police detectives &#8220;are being investigated&#8221; to see if any &#8220;internal rules were violated in connection with Det. Nate Cogburn&#8217;s comments to Huckaby&#8221; on April 10, hours before her arrest.

Last October, Behar filed a motion to suppress evidence against his client. A hearing was set for last month, but Behar was granted an extension until April 12.

Behar also wrote in his motion he needed more time because he and attorney Michael Burk have yet to see all the physical evidence in the case.

He wrote he&#8217;s waiting to receive a list of all property seized during the investigation against Huckaby, and he needed more time for other reasons not to be disclosed to the public.

An April 12 hearing is scheduled when Behar and Testa will argue over evidence.

Article:
http://www.tracypress.com/view/full...evidence-tossed?instance=home_news_lead_story

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Detectives In Cantu Case Investigated
Possible Statement Made To Suspect In Girl's Slaying At Issue
POSTED: 4:03 pm PST March 3, 2010
UPDATED: 7:02 pm PST March 3, 2010
<snipped>
In a motion by Huckaby's attorney, Sam Behar writes that prosecutor Tom Testa pointed out that, "Several Tracy police detectives are being investigated regarding whether any Tracy Police Department internal rules were violated in connection with detective Nate Cogburn's comments to Melissa Huckaby on 4/10/09."

Former defense attorney and Humphreys Law college professor John Schick calls it an abundance of caution. "The Tracy Police Department may feel something may have been a little bit out of line by one of their officers, so they are trying to cover that now instead of years later when somebody would come back and have somebody say, 'What about that? Why was that done?'" Schick said.

Tracy police released a statement, saying the Police Department is banned from discussing any aspect of the Cantu case by a judicial gag order. "Whatever Detective Cogburn said to Huckaby somehow led to a statement from Huckaby that led to her arrest ... a statement that the defense will challenge as far as being admitted as evidence," the police statement said.

"That suggests they suddenly had an answer to what had happened and they knew she was their perpetrator," Schick said. Huckaby will return to court on April 18 for a weeklong hearing at which time her attorney will try to supress evidence that would be used in the upcoming trial.

Video: Were Rules Broken In Cantu Investigation? 1:45
The Tracy Police Department is conducting an internal investigation of its detectives regarding the Sandra Cantu case.
http://www.kcra.com/video/22734676/index.html

Article:
http://www.kcra.com/mostpopular/22733665/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Family of Sandra Cantu to honor her memory
3/8/10
<snipped>
The family of Sandra Cantu will gather at a park in Tracy tonight on what would have been the child's 9th birthday.

The 8-year-old girl disappeared last March from her family's mobile home park, and her body was found ten days later in a suitcase that had been dumped in an irrigation ditch.

Sandra's family and friends will hold a memorial celebration for her at 7 p.m. at Robert Kenner Park in Tracy. Her family says they want to remember Sandra's happy spirit, and they're inviting the community to attend.

Huckaby is due in court on March 29 for another hearing. Her trial is set to begin on October 18.

Article:
http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=76772&catid=2

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Video: Memorial Held For Sandra Cantu
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=69452@kovr.dayport.com

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Birthday Memorial Held For Sandra Cantu
[Slain Tracy Girl Would Have Been 9 Years Old
POSTED: 5:47 pm PST March 8, 2010
UPDATED: 7:26 pm PST March 8, 2010
<snipped>
The family of Sandra Cantu celebrated Monday what would have been her 9th birthday with a memorial service in Tracy.

It's been nearly one year since Cantu vanished from her neighborhood. Her body was found in a nearby irrigation ditch, stuffed in luggage.

The memorial, which began at 7 p.m., was held at Robert Kenner Park in Tracy. The park is next to Melville S. Jacobson Elementary School, where Cantu was a student.

Video: Hundreds Attend Cantu Memorial
http://www.kcra.com/video/22782422/index.html

Article:
http://www.kcra.com/news/22780780/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Large crowd gathers to remember Sandra Cantu
3/8/10
<snipped>
The family of Sandra Cantu welcomed dozens of family, friends and strangers to a special gathering on what would have been the child's 9th birthday.

The 8-year-old girl disappeared last March from her family's mobile home park, and her body was found ten days later in a suitcase that had been dumped in an irrigation ditch.

Her family said they want to remember Sandra's happy spirit, and invited the community to attend. Dozens of people showed up to share in the celebration.

Huckaby is due in court on March 29 for another hearing. Her trial is set to begin on October 18.

Memorial for Sandra Cantu was held Monday. She would have been 9 years old.

Article:
http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=76772&catid=2

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Event remembers Sandra Cantu on her birthday
Posted: 03/08/2010 09:29:22 PM PST
Updated: 03/08/2010 09:29:22 PM PST
<snipped>
There was music and balloons and cupcakes with pink frosting &#8212; all the makings of a little girl's party. But Monday night's gathering at Jacobsen Elementary School included tears and hugs, too, for the family of Sandra Cantu and the Tracy residents who came together to remember Sandra on what would have been her ninth birthday. Sandra's family held Monday's event to remember the child's birthday, and to focus on the good things her life represented.

She had a big heart and an infectious laugh, said her aunt Angie Chavez. "Sandra loved life and she lived it." Even though Sandra was just a kid, she had a way to make everyone feel welcomed, Chavez said. She was the first to greet people and would ask for help. "She had a way to capture your heart," Chavez said. Sandra also brought a community together, said Don Higgins, the Tracy Police Department chaplain. Addressing the family, he said the city residents support them. "We can come together often enough to remind you that you are not alone," Higgins said. Higgins said Sandra was the community's loss too.

The celebration was originally planned to be held outdoors at Robert Kenner Park, where a tree planted to honor Sandra grows. But the wind and the cold sent the event indoors.

Sandra's grandfather, Joe Chavez Sr., told the audience that he became concerned about the tree because it had turned brown. Then he learned the tree was healthy, that its strength lay within its roots. He made a parallel to his granddaughter. "That's where Sandra's strength is, in this community," he said.

On what would have been her ninth birthday, people gather at Jacobson Elementary School in Tracy, Calif., on Monday, March 8, 2010, to remember the life of Sandra Cantu. People gather around a photo display to write notes to Sandra's family. The ceremony was planned to thank the community for its huge outpouring of support. The Tracy girl disappeared from her home last March and her body was found April 6 inside of a suitcase in an agricultural pond at an area dairy. Neighbor Melissa Huckaby is awaiting trial on charges that include Sandra's killing.

The hands of Sandra's grandfather, Jose Chavez, and others are folded in prayer as the ceremony begins.

Sandra's mother Maria Chavez, left, hugs a young girl who gave her a card before the celebration.

Sandra's sister Simone Chavez, kisses son Marcus Govea, 4, of Tracy, as they listen to grandfather Jose Chavez speak to the crowd that filled the multipurpose room.

Her mother, Maria Chavez, dabs her eyes as she and family members including Sandra's grandparents Dolores and Jose Chavez, all of Tracy, from left, listen to the song, "Lean on Me."

Article:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14638039

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Sandra Cantu remembered on what would have been girl's 9th birthday
Mar 08, 2010
<snipped>
Sandra Cantu was the first to burst out the door to hug a visitor, to offer help or to tell someone they looked pretty.

A child prone to infectious laughter and a bit of a daredevil on her bike, the energetic, inquisitive 8-year-old exuded love.

That's how her family remembered the little girl on what would have been her ninth birthday.

&#8220;She was full of life,&#8221; Sandra&#8217;s aunt, Angie Chavez, said. &#8220;She had a huge heart and she shared it with so many people.&#8221;

Nearly 400 people laughed, cried and ate pink cupcakes in the gymnasium at Jacobsen Elementary School, where she was a second grader last year.

Teary-eyed friends gazed at photos of the tiny girl in costumes or with her two siblings while &#8220;Lean on Me&#8221; and &#8220;Somewhere Over the Rainbow&#8221; played.

AJ Lee, 12, sang and played mandolin, accompanied by her mother Betsy Riger, and the Tracy Community Choir sang two songs.

Sandra&#8217;s family, in T-shirts reading &#8220;Tracy&#8217;s Angel, forever in our hearts,&#8221; released illuminated pink balloons into the sky.

View slideshow (9 images)
http://matchbin-assets.s3.amazonaws...ignature=GnSShNlFuoG8X3l/KUTxn8OdYmA=&x-s=543

Article:
http://www.tracypress.com/view/full...-s-9th-birthday?instance=home_news_lead_story

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Hundreds Gather At Public Memorial For Sandra Cantu
Posted: 10:26 pm PST March 8,2010
Updated: 12:24 am PST March 9,2010
<snipped>
Sandra Cantu attended Jacobson Elementary School. On Monday night, about 300 family, friends and strangers packed the school gym to celebrate the day Sandra was born. There was cake and balloons that you would typically find at a child's birthday, but this gathering was marked with tremendous sadness. Instead of a celebratory song, there was somber music.

Almost a year after Sandra disappeared, members of her family still have a hard time coping with their loss. Sandra's mother Maria Chavez told KTVU she thinks about her daughter all the time. Chavez was comforted by a large group of neighbors and friends as they all watched images of the little girl on a projection screen. "It's wonderful. Really overwhelming. The community is terrific," said Chavez.

Sandra's grandfather Joe Chavez gave heartfelt thanks those who came to the memorial and reminded the gathered crowd of the tree that's planted in her honor near the school. "The roots are embedded and that's where it's strength is," said Chavez. "And I thought wow, that's where Sandra's strength is in this community and that is evident by everybody here."

Article:
http://www.ktvu.com/news/22782108/detail.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Memorial Held For Sandra Cantu On 9th Birthday
Mar 8, 2010 11:35 pm US/Pacific
<snipped>
The memorial took place at Sandra's old school, Jacobson Elementary, where a tree was planted in her honor. Sandra's mother, Maria Chavez, cried as she spoke about the young girl who was taken from her almost a year ago.

"It's her birthday," said Maria Chavez, Sandra's mother. "I wanted people to celebrate her life, not her death."

Monday's ceremony was originally scheduled to be outside until rain showers swept in, leaving a rainbow behind.

Well-wishers brought balloons, flowers and even a birthday cake as part of the celebration.

In one final birthday gesture, family members delivered Sandra a gift: Balloons released into the sky.

Video: Memorial Held For Sandra Cantu On 9th Birthday
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=69459@kovr.dayport.com

Article:
http://cbs13.com/local/sandra.cantu.memorial.2.1546815.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Extended family celebrates Sandra Cantu's life in Tracy
March 09, 2010 12:00 AM
<snipped>
Cupcakes, music, balloons and plenty of people celebrating. It's the way Sandra Cantu would have wanted her birthday observed, her family said. So on the day she would have turned 9 years old, they did just that. The public came, not to mourn a loss but to celebrate a vibrant little girl's life.

"Every moment is now a celebration in heaven," Tracy police Chaplain Don Higgins said. Hundreds of people gathered for the birthday party Monday night at Jacobson Elementary School, which Sandra attended. "Only joy will bring tears to Sandra's eyes now," Higgins said.

Angie Chavez, Sandra's second cousin, talked about her memories of Sandra, a little girl full of happiness and gumption. "One day, she told me she wanted to be a nurse when she grew up," Chavez recalled. "She had a lot of questions, and she wouldn't hesitate to ask them." Sandra was a friendly girl. "Sandra was full of love. ... Sandra would be the first to greet you. ... She would ask if you needed help in the kitchen," Chavez said. "She also had an infectious laugh."

Sandra's relatives also shared a photo slide show with the community, whom they say has become somewhat of an extended family. Tears were shed among the crowd, as they were captivated by images that captured Sandra's smiles on Halloween, Christmas and other birthdays.

Images:
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100309/A_NEWS/3090332&Template=photos

Video: Ceremony Celebrates Sandra Cantu's Birthday
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100309/A_MEDIA03/100309834

Article:
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100309/A_NEWS/3090332