Crown wraps double-murder case against Despres
The final prosecution witness at the double murder trial of Gregory Allan Despres, a blood spatter expert,presented on Wednesday a graphic account of what likely happened when the victims were killed.
On Thursday, lawyers will argue over whether evidence presented earlier in a voir dire hearing should be admitted.
Staff Sgt. Alain Richard,who was head of the RCMP's regional forensic identification section in Halifax, told the court on Wednesday that blood stainsin the victims' Minto, N.B., home showedthat an already wounded Fred Fultonwas dragged inside from the porch.
Despres is on trial facing two counts of first-degree murder in the slayings of Fulton, 74, and Verna Decarie, 70, on April 23, 2005.
Their bodies were discovered three days later by Fulton's daughter. Decarie had been stabbed 30 times and Fulton had been beheaded.
Despres was arrested in Massachusetts on April 26, 2005, after New Brunswick RCMP issued a warrant for his arrest. He has pleaded not guilty to two first-degree murder charges.
In testimony that lasted all of Wednesday, Richard said Fulton appears to have fled his attacker to the bathroom, where he sat on the floor with his back against the door.
Fulton's blood was also found in the master bedroom, where Decarie was killed.
With Richard's testimony, Crown prosecutor Paul Hawkins wrapped his case against Despres.
Thursdaymorning, the lawyers will argue the admissibility of evidence that was presented earlier in a voir dire hearing, some of it under a publication ban.
That evidence includes statements by Fred Fulton's grandson, Frederick Mowat, andDespres's grandfather,Adolph Despres. It also includes testimony from U.S. border guards who held Despres for three hours before letting him cross, and from the Massachusetts police officers who ultimately arrested him.
OnceJudgeJudy Clendenningrules on whether that evidence will be admitted,the defence will begin topresent its case.
Defence lawyer Ed Derrah hasn't given many clues as to how he intends to defend his client.
The trial is expected to wrap up by the end of the month.