EDMONTON — An Edmonton man has failed to overturn a murder conviction he received two years ago for stabbing a girl to death with scissors.
David Moss had urged the Alberta Court of Appeal to reduce his conviction from murder to the less-severe manslaughter in the death of the seven-year-old.
Moss argued the trial judge should not have convicted him of murder — which carries a life sentence — because he was mentally unwell and not in a state of mind to form the intent to commit such a crime.
But appeal judges say when all of the evidence is taken into account, there is not enough to show the judge was wrong to draw a conclusion that Moss knew his actions could cause harm.
Court heard Moss was a friend of the girl's mother and one night, just as the mother was about to kiss the girl good night, he entered her bedroom with a pair of scissors, pushed the mom aside, and slashed and cut the girl's neck repeatedly.
Moss testified that he thought he was in a game as he stabbed the girl and said the voice of a demon told him to harm her.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025.
Aaron Sousa, The Canadian Press
