Karissa's mom makes tearful court appearance

The Nova Scotia woman charged with murdering her 12-year-old daughter was back in court Thursday in Bridgewater.

Penny Boudreau, 34, cried as she was led into the courtroom. She wiped away tears and rocked in her chair duringher 20-minute appearance on procedural matters.

Boudreau is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Karissa Boudreau, whose frozen body was discovered on the outskirts of Bridgewater in February.

Security was tight at the courthouse for her first appearance in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Three officers patrolled the front area of the building and anyone entering had to pass through a metal detector.

Boudreau was booed and jeered by a large crowd when she was arraigned in June.

This time, however, nobody turned upoutside the courthouse.

Paul Boudreau, Karissa's father, sat in court to watch the proceedings. Hesaid he hopes tonever see the mother of his child again.

"It's like staring into the devil, I guess," he told CBC News. "She's not the person we all knew. I mean, yes, it is the same person, but nobody can believe that somebody can allegedly do this to the child."

Lawyers will return to court on Monday to again discuss the procedural matters.

Crown, defence talking

Crown attorney Paul Scovil said there are ongoing discussions with the defence, but he can't speak about them in detail.

"Even in cases where there's a really good defence, defence counsel often come to us and talk to us about, 'What would you be seeking if my client did plead guilty?' so they have some idea to go back and give full information to their client," Scovil told reporters.

"Ihave no idea what their defence may or may not be. I do know we have a good case."

Boudreau's lawyer, Pat Atherton, refused to speak with reporters.

Boudreau waived her right to a preliminary hearing in October, setting the stage for the case to proceed to trial.

If there is a trial, Scovil said thatcould happen in May, thoughOctober is more likely.

Boudreauremainsin custody. Hernextscheduled court appearanceisJan. 30, when lawyers are expected to discuss the admissibility of evidence.

A number of conditions remain in place. For example,Boudreaucan't have contact with boyfriend Vernon MacCumber,Paul Boudreau, orother members of the Boudreau family.

Penny Boudreau reported her only daughter missing on Jan. 27. She said the girl disappeared fromthe parking lot of a Bridgewater grocery store after the two argued.

She made a tearful plea forKarissa's return acouple of days later at a news conference.

A passerby discovered Karissa's body on the banks of the LaHave River on Feb. 9.