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MEHL MURDER TRIAL: Officer who found deceased child tearful at recollection

Jury hears from the police officers who were first on the scene
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The first-degree murder trial of city woman Kaela Mehl in the death of her 18-month-old daughter continues this week at Victoria Law Courts. Victoria News files

Victoria police Const. Jessica Moretto paused to take a breath, her face red, before describing the scene where the body of 18-month-old Charlotte Cunningham was found.

Moretto and Const. Kyle Pistone testified at the first-degree murder trial of Kaela Mehl this morning, telling what they saw when they responded to a call at the home of Mehl’s mother, Leanna Comis, in the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 2015.

“I see the baby laying on the bed, and she’s gray,” said a tearful Moretto.

The Crown is expected to wrap up their case today (Sept. 19), with the defence beginning to present their case as early as tomorrow.

More to come.

lauren.boothby@vicnews.com

Read Victoria News’ coverage of the Kaela Mehl murder trial

Oct. 4: Kaela Mehl guilty of first degree murder, sentenced to life in prison

Oct. 4: First degree murder conviction requires killing be planned and deliberate

Oct. 3: Jury must determine degree of planning in killing of toddler

Sept 28: Crown challenges psychiatrist as defence wraps in Mehl murder case

Sept: 27: Drafted suicide note revealed Mehl’s mental state: psychiatrist

Sept: 26: Victoria woman hired P.I. during custody battle

Sept. 21: Victoria woman had a mental disorder when she killed daughter: psychiatrist

Sept. 19: First responders describe gruesome Victoria crime scene to jury

Sept. 16: Mehl murder trial: “She was a good mother”

Sept. 14: Emotional day in Kaela Mehl trial as defendant’s suicide email read aloud

Sept. 13: Saanich police cautioned couple night before toddler was found dead

Sept. 12: Victoria mom charged with toddler’s murder weeps listening to recording of daughter crying