杀害女童凶手法庭痛哭流涕

Well, an emotional apology from a Californian woman who killed an eight-year-old Sandra Cantu last spring. Melissa Huckaby learned her punishment in court Monday. As we learn new details about how the murder was carried out. Here is the ABC's David Wright.

Before the judge sentenced this former Sunday school teacher, family member showed a heartbreaking video of the second-grade girl Melissa Huckaby kidnapped and killed.

-It took the life of an innocent little girl who she didn't do nothing. She is not even old enough to decide to eat ice cream yet.

At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors revealed for the first time. The cause of Sandra Cantu's death--homicidal asphyxiation. The murder weapon a torn piece of cloth fashioned into a noose. Her body was stuffed in a suitcase and dumped in a pond.

-We won't get to see her grow up. We won't get to see her go to her first stand middle school. We won't be able to see her fall in love.

What's still not clear in this tragic case is the motive, not clear it seems even to Huckaby herself.

-And I want you to know that she didn't suffer and I didn't sexually molest your daughter.

Huckaby offered a tearful apology but no explanation.

-Everyday I try to discover the motivation but I still do not have the answer. This is the question I will struggle with for the rest of my life.

She will spend the rest of her life behind bars. No possibility of parole.

For Good Morning America, David Wright, ABC News, Los Angeles.