Arguments point to motive in NB double-murder trial: Crown

Details about previous arguments between the grandson of Minto stabbing victim Fred Fulton and Fulton's alleged killer were allowed into evidence at a double-murder trial in Fredericton Monday.

Gregory Allan Despres, 24, is on trial for first-degree murder in the deaths of Fulton and his wife, Verna Decarie.

Justice Judy Clendenning ruled that testimony from Fulton's grandson during a voir dire hearing is pertinent to the trial.

Frederick Mowat, Fulton's grandson, in testimony previouslyunder a publication ban, recalled an altercation he had with Despres in 2004, when Despres was living in a travel trailer with no hot water, on a plot of land owned by Adolph Despres, the grandfather of the accused, next door to Fred Fulton.

"He had the stereo blasting, and it wasn't even music," said family spokesman Mike Richardson, Fulton's nephew. "It was just static."

Mowat testified that when he approached Despres and asked him to turn it down, Despres pulled a knife on him, yelling, "Don't make me do it," and "I'll kill you, I'll kill ya's all."

RCMP arrived and laid charges against Despres, who was eventually found guilty of assault with a weapon and of uttering threats. Those charges were the ones he was to be sentenced on in Burton, April 25, 2005, the same day he crossed the border into the U.S., and the day before the bodies were found. He was arrested April 26 in Mattapoisett, Mass.

The Crown has stated this altercation points to motive.

Justice Clendenning also allowed as evidence statements Despres made to various border guards and U.S. law enforcement officers that he was a U.S. marine and hired killer. However, the judge did not allow voir dire testimony from Adolph Despres, the accused's grandfather, saying it was prejudicial and not reliable.

Court resumes on Thursday when the defence will present its case.