David Moss pleads not guilty to the murder of a 7-year-old girl

David Moss’ lawyer will spend the next three weeks trying to convince Judge Steven Mandziuk that his client should not be held criminally responsible for the girl’s death, which occurred in May 2020, due to mental illness.

According to the agreed statement of facts, the alleged murderer, who is a tattoo artist in Edmonton, and Melissa Desrosiers, the girl’s mother, grew up in two neighboring towns in Alberta. They met in high school.

A year before Bella Rose Desrosiers died, Melissa Desrosiers befriended David Moss after he tattooed her.

Two months later, Melissa Desrosiers’ husband committed suicide in their south Edmonton home. David Moss then gave her a free tattoo in memory of her late husband, according to the agreed statement of facts.

A desire to help

The statement of facts before the Court notes that on May 18, 2020, Melissa Desrosiers was worried about David Moss, after she heard him make comments that she thought were suicidal. She then invited him to her home, while taking care to hide her knives in a bedroom closet.

When he arrived at the Desrosiers, David Moss said he was tired and went up to the third floor of the house so he could take a shower and rest.

According to Crown prosecutor Shivani Naidu-Barrett, Melissa Desrosiers then asked her aunt to come and babysit her daughters, Lily, four, and Bella, seven, so she could take David Moss to the hospital.

Melissa then read a story to her children, who share the same room. As she was about to say goodbye to her daughters, David Moss suddenly appeared at the door, in his underwear and brandishing a pair of scissors.

Lily, 4 years old at the time of the tragedy, the late Bella and their mother Melissa Desrosiers.

Photo: Melissa Desrosiers/Facebook

It was murdersaid the defendant

Mr. Moss pushed Ms. Desrosiers aside and quickly approached Bella who was lying on top of the bunk bed. With the scissors, Mr. Moss slashed Bella’s neck and dragged her out of bed.said Shivani Naidu-Barrett.

The girls’ mother suffered a few minor injuries while trying to get in the way. She ordered her daughter Lily to run for safety in the upstairs bathroom, according to court reports.

Mr. Moss dragged Bella’s body down the stairs and into the living room, leaving a trail of bloodcontinued the prosecutor.

David Moss continues to attack the little girl with scissors, before sitting down on the sofa in the living room, his hands and feet covered in blood. Melissa Desrosiers manages to grab hold of the scissors, which she throws outside the house. She then calls 911 and attempts to provide first aid to her bleeding daughter.

Paramedics declare the girl dead upon arriving at the scene. David Moss is immediately taken into custody.

The report of the facts explains that when he arrived at the police station, David Moss declared that his fingers were cut. Asked by the police about the reason for these injuries, the latter replied it was murder. Six minutes later, he added: Do you know why I did it? Because I loved it.

The trial resumes Wednesday. David Moss is expected to testify on Friday, while Melissa Desrosiers, the girl’s mother, will testify in court next week.

With information from Janice Johnston