CALGARY – A Calgary woman found guilty of killing her six-year-old stepdaughter, Meika Jordan, is appealing her conviction on the third anniversary of her arrest.
A judge found Marie Magoon guilty of second-degree murder on June 3. Meika’s father, Spencer Jordan, was also found guilty. He filed an appeal in July.
READ MORE: Father appeals conviction in murder of his daughter Meika Jordan
Both Jordan and Magoon have since been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 17 years for the November 2011 death of the young girl.
Magoon has a new defence lawyer, Michael Bates, who confirmed Wednesday he filed an appeal on her behalf, citing several errors made by the trial judge.
READ MORE: ‘Mr. Big’ confessions found admissible in Meika Jordan trial
Magoon’s defence maintained a so-called “Mr. Big” sting operation—that included a confession by Magoon—should not have been allowed as evidence into the trial. During the secretly-videotaped sting, both Jordan and Magoon made graphic confessions about abusing and torturing Meika.
“Mr. Big” sting operations refer to undercover police investigations where officers pretend to be members of a fake criminal organization to elicit confessions from suspects.
READ MORE: Crown appeals second-degree murder conviction in Meika Jordan case
In October, the Crown filed an appeal of the second-degree convictions for both Jordan and Magoon, asking for the court to substitute convictions of first-degree murder.
- Man in critical condition after setting himself on fire near NYC courthouse
- ‘They knew’: Victims of sexual abuse by Ontario youth leader sue Anglican Church
- Trump trial set to hear opening statements Monday as another delay denied
- Arrest made after police issue emergency alert about ‘dangerous man’ in Bible Hill, N.S.
Meika’s mother and stepfather, Kyla and Brian Woodhouse, said Wednesdasy they aren’t surprised by Magoon’s appeal.
Kyla Woodhouse said she’s frustrated by the appeal, but added, “I figured she would try anything to get out of dealing with the consequences for her actions.”
Both are hopeful justice will prevail.
“The evidence speaks for itself,” said Kyla.
The couple said they were just starting to feel like they could move forward.
“We get hit out of nowhere and crushed all over again. How many times do I have to dry my wife’s tears until they just stop hurting us?” said Brian, who learned of the appeal from media reports.
Meika Jordan was tortured and abused for several days before being rushed to hospital unconscious in November 2011. She died of her injuries the following day.
With files from Erika Tucker
Comments