Appeal dismissed for Edmonton man who killed 7-year-old girl

WARNING: This story contains graphic details of violence.

An Edmonton man has failed to overturn a murder conviction he received two years ago for stabbing a girl to death with scissors.

David Moss was convicted of killing seven-year-old Bella Rose Desrosiers in front of her mother and little sister on May 18, 2020.

Moss, in a state of psychosis, stabbed the young girl and dragged her from her bedroom while her mother, Melissa Francis, was tucking her into bed.

Moss was found guilty of second-degree murder.

Moss had urged the Alberta Court of Appeal to reduce his conviction from murder to the less-severe manslaughter in the death of Desrosiers.

Moss argued the trial judge should not have convicted him of murder because he was mentally unwell and not in a state of mind to form the intent to commit such a crime.

But appeal judges said when all of the evidence is taken into account, there is not enough to show the judge was wrong to draw a conclusion that Moss knew his actions could cause harm.

Second-degree murder comes with an automatic life sentence and a parole ineligibility period of 10 to 25 years. 

Court heard Moss was a friend of the girl's mother and one night, just as the mother was about to kiss the girl good night, he entered her bedroom with a pair of scissors, pushed the mom aside, and slashed and cut the girl's neck repeatedly.

Moss testified that he thought he was in a game as he stabbed the girl and said the voice of a demon told him to harm her.

If you're affected by this news story, you can look for mental health support through resources in your province or territory.