Huckabee guilty plea

Apropos the Sandra Cantu case, Huckabee entered a guilty plea in exchange for life in prison.

Authorities disclosed an investigative summary that depicted a brutal killing that left the child with wounds to her head and body, including injuries to the outside of her genitals that were consistent with a bloodstained rolling pin found inside a church where Huckaby had taught. The stain matched Sandra's blood, prosecutors said.

A pathologist's report listed the official cause of death as "homicidal asphyxiation." Prosecutors believe Huckaby drugged the girl then smothered her with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.

Sandra's body — found in a black suitcase pulled from an irrigation pond — contained alprazolam, a prescription sedative commonly used to treat anxiety. Prescription bottles of the drug were found in Huckaby's purse and home, prosecutors said.

Testa believes two other drugging cases against Huckaby were "practice attempts" leading to Sandra's killing. Charges also were dropped in those cases, which involved a 7-year-old girl and a 37-year-old man whom police believe Huckaby had been dating.

So, practice runs, huh. Also:

District Attorney James Willett said he was satisfied with the plea deal as a way to avoid a costly trial that could drag on for years. He believes the outcome would have been the same, with a jury sentencing Huckaby to a life term.

"California's death penalty is a joke," he said.

Well, voters wanted it that way, so...