WARNING: This article contains disturbing content.
The Edmonton man found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2020 death of a seven-year-old girl was back in court Friday for a sentencing hearing.
More than a year after he was found guilty of killing young Bella Rose Desrosiers, David Michael Moss faces an automatic life sentence.
A judge previously denied his defence of being not criminally responsible (NCR) for stabbing the child to death with scissors in her bedroom in front of her mom and little sister in May 2020. Bella’s mother Melissa tried to fight him off, court heard, and told her other daughter to run and hide in the bathroom.
Court heard Melissa had been trying to help Moss, a friend from high school who she feared was suicidal.
Before the Mill Woods attack, Moss said he was trying to ascend to another realm and was experiencing an “awakening.”
Moss admitted to killing Bella but said he had no memory of it.
The Crown is arguing he should not be eligible for parole for between 20 and 22 years.
The Crown argued the offence was committed on a vulnerable child in her home, where she should have been safe. Prosecutors also pointed to the younger sister witnessing the start of the attack.
The defence is requesting 13 years of parole ineligibility.
The defence lawyer said that while the gratuitous violence is an aggravating factor, mitigating factors include Moss’ admissions throughout the trial, his lack of prior criminal record and that he was an involved father of four.
In court Friday, Moss sat in an orange jumpsuit, staring blankly at the ground with hunched shoulders.
There were four sheriffs present.
An audio recording of Lily Desrosiers, Bella’s sister, was played in court Friday.
Lily is eight years old now. She was four when her sister was killed.
“When I try to go to sleep at night, I struggle to sleep because I shared a bed with my sister and we used to talk to each other until we fell asleep. Now she is not there for me to cuddle with when I wake up from nightmares.
“I have nightmares about that day and what you did to my sister. I have nightmares that you are going to come to my school or home and kill me and my mom and dad.”
Lily said she struggles with anger, panic, feeling lost, confused and sad every day.
“I miss my sister and I want to scream and cry but I don’t because I don’t want everyone to know what I’m crying about,” she said.
“Now I have no sister to play with or share secrets with and I often pretend… she is still here because it hurts too much to believe she’s gone.”
Where there used to be joy and happiness, there’s now grief and sadness, Lily said.
“It is exhausting. I wish I could have a normal life without everyone asking what happened to my sister. It is overwhelming,” she said.
“She wasn’t just a sister; she was my best friend and you took her away from me.”
Bella’s mom spoke in court to give her victim impact statement. She had a support therapy dog with her.
“My world’s been changed forever because one of my children is now missing,” Melissa said. “This will haunt me every day for the rest of my life.”
Melissa said she will always have an emptiness inside her because of Bella’s death.
“She was a beautiful rose that could light up any room.
“I miss her laugh. I miss her playing. I miss seeing her artwork.”
Bella was kind, loving, sometimes shy, Melissa said. She made everyone feel special.
“Bella’s brutal murder has left a hole in my heart that will never be filled.”
She said Bella’s death left her vulnerable, scared and traumatized. It’s also been very difficult for Lily, her mother said.
“She will call out to me at night so she knows she’s safe… I, too, often wake in the middle of the night, scared of what I witnessed that night,” Melissa said.
“No amount of therapy will remove those images from my mind.”
Supporters in court wore shirts that read: “Justice for Bella Rose.”
Sandy Rogers, Melissa’s cousin, said she was angry.
“We want some justice for Bella. I never want anyone else to lose their life by the violence of David Moss.”
Bella wanted to see the mental health system changed, Melissa said.
Moss addressed court Friday.
“I just want to start by saying I’m so unbelievably sorry. Not one moment goes past that I haven’t thought about this,” he said.
“I know things will never be the same. It truly breaks my heart to know I’m responsible for it,” Moss said.
“I wish I knew where to begin to fix this. Every night I’m crippled with mental pain and grief… I spend my time trying to make sense of this all.”
Moss said he’s lost his wife and his children are now estranged.
“Melissa, you opened your heart to me during a time I was in desperate need of help. You took me at my lowest, although you’d already been through so much with Ben’s passing. I only wish I could give you everything back,” Moss said to Bella’s mother, who did not look at him.
“Never in my right mind would I ever think about doing anything like this.”
“I know, Melissa, you will probably never forgive me and I don’t expect you to. This is because I won’t forgive myself.”
A sentencing decision is expected June 21.
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