Mother of 7-year-old stabbing victim testifies at Edmonton murder trial

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The mother of a seven-year-old homicide victim shared emotional testimony Wednesday about the day her daughter was killed, saying she thought she could help.

Melissa Desrosiers spoke to court with a Zebra Centre dog and a counselor there to support her.

Desrosiers testified she knew the accused David Moss through her sister-in-law and his sister’s friends. She says she had gotten tattoos from Moss to honour her husband Ben who had died by suicide the summer before.

Moss is seeking a ruling that he is not criminally responsible in the second-degree murder of Bella Rose Desrosiers.

Desrosiers said the day Bella Rose was killed, Moss had called her speaking of awakenings and saying he knew why Ben had done it.

Melissa Desrosiers with her daughter Bella Rose. (Credit: Facebook/Melissa Desrosiers)

Desrosiers says after hearing Moss refused the help of mental-health workers, she went to the father of four’s house.

“My fear was that he would kill himself and he had a family,” she told the court through tears Wednesday. “And I didn’t want the same loss for another family that I had.”

Through her limited comments to the media since losing her child, the registered nurse has always advocated for mental health awareness, even in the days after.

“Each and every day, reach out to each other and embrace your children, families and communities,” she said in 2020. “No one you understands when you or someone you love is struggling.”

MORE FROM THE TRIAL:

• Man accused of killing girl in Edmonton home pleads not guilty
• Wife of man accused of murdering girl in Edmonton home describes the day of killing
• Graphic videos of Edmonton man charged in girl’s death played during trial
• ‘I was awake; everybody was asleep’: Edmonton man charged in girl’s death testifies

The Crown asked Desrosiers about the moments surrounding her daughter’s death.

The mother said she didn’t see Moss enter her daughter’s room as she kissed her kids goodnight. But when he attacked her oldest with a pair of scissors, she screamed, ‘why why,’ and he answered, ‘this is for Ben.’”

Desrosiers says after he had brought Bella’s body downstairs, she yelled at him to get out of her house, but he just sat on the couch, staring.

The judge-alone trial has previously heard how Moss had become increasingly paranoid, speaking of spiritual awakenings and hearing voices in the days leading up to the attack, not eating or sleeping for five days.