Devin Morningstar murder trial hears of partying in triplex
1st-degree murder charge laid in connection with December death of Baylee White, 18, in Moncton
A woman who lived in the triplex unit beside the one in which Baylee Wylie died testified Thursday there was partying in that unit for several days before Wylie died.
Ashley Katzel-Leblanc was testifying in the first-degree murder trial of Devin Morningstar.
Morningstar, 19, is one of three people charged with first-degree murder in the December death of Baylee Wylie, 18, of Moncton.
Wylie's body was found in a burned unit of a triplex on Sumac Street on the morning of Dec. 17.
Katzil-Leblanc said she heard male voices in the next-door unit between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the night of Dec. 16.
"They were talking about doing lines," said Katzil-Leblanc.
She said earlier in the day she saw two males from the middle unit outside the building and said they looked intoxicated.
"I could tell by their eyes."
Under cross-examination, Katzil-Leblanc stated "They were partying for three or four days before that," adding that she could hear them.
Katzil-Leblanc says she went to bed around 12:30 a.m. and was awakened later by her son screaming and the sound of the fire alarm.
She woke up her children and got them outside and said she saw smoke coming out of the bathroom of the middle unit of the building.
RCMP have stated previously that Wylie died a violent death.
Cpl. Patrick Gould was called as a witness before the noon break on Thursday and has photo booklets for the jury.
Justice John Walsh told the jury to "steel yourself for some of the things you will see" and said they will see "things you don't see in everyday life."
Noel's case is scheduled to begin Oct. 27, while Shephard is scheduled to be back in court on May 1 for a preliminary hearing.
With files from Tori Weldon