Spencer Jordan and Marie Magoon guilty of 2nd-degree murder of Meika Jordan
Meghan Grant | CBC News | Posted: June 3, 2015 7:59 PM | Last Updated: June 3, 2015
2nd-degree murder conviction comes with automatic life sentence
A Calgary couple have been found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Meika Jordan.
- Meika Jordan's mother collapses with grief after murder trial testimony
- Marie Magoon, Spencer Jordan tortured 6-year-old Meika Jordan before death, alleges Crown
Spencer Jordan, Meika's father, and Marie Magoon, her stepmother, were originally charged with first-degree murder.
The trial lasted just over five weeks.
Meika, who was six years old, died of blunt force trauma in November 2011, while in the care of Jordan and Magoon.
During the trial, court heard that Meika was burned, beaten, punched, dragged by her hair and thrown down the stairs over a three-day period leading up to her death.
Magoon's lawyer, Allan Fay, asked the judge to acquit his client because he says she did not cause any of the fatal wounds. It's a strategy both employed, admitting to harming Meika but denying they caused the fatal injuries that killed her.
During an undercover police operation, each confessed to abusing the child.
In her closing statement to the judge, Crown prosecutor Susan Pepper said that on Nov. 10, 2011, Magoon held a lighter under Meika's hand, causing a third-degree burn. The child was supposed to be returned to her mother the next day but Pepper said the couple knew they'd be in trouble for the burn on Meika's hand, so Jordan texted his ex, asking to keep her for an extra day.
Meika died on Nov. 14, 2011, after being taken to hospital by ambulance the day before. Magoon and Jordan initially told first responders she'd fallen down the stairs.
'We get our justice'
After the verdict, Meika's mother, Kyla Woodhouse, and her husband, Brian, told reporters they were disappointed the judge didn't rule the murder first-degree, but were happy to see a guilty decision.
"Whether it was first-degree, second-degree, regardless, as long as it came down to a guilty verdict, we get our justice for her. That's what we've been striving for, for the last almost four years," said Kyla Woodhouse.
A sentencing hearing with victim impact statements is set for Sept. 18.
"In this case, we will be seeking a period of parole ineligibility which will be toward the maximum," said Pepper.
A second-degree murder conviction comes with an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 10 years, up to a maximum of 25 years.