Both the Crown and Defence are finished their closing arguments in Marissa Shephard’s trial for first degree murder and arson.
Defence lawyer Gilles Lemieux methodically went through the evidence, reminding the jury there was very little actually tying Shephard to the murder.
He also pointed out discrepancies in the various statements from Devin Morningstar, warning the jury to be careful about using them as evidence.
Crown lawyers Annie St. Jacques and Eric Lalonde, meanwhile, pointed out Shephard’s testimony, and Morningstar’s statements generally agreed with one another right up until the actual events of the murder.
St. Jacques says the most telling thing Shephard said was ‘no, no, we are not killing anybody else, Tyler’ when she was alone discussing that with Tyler. St. Jacques says in her own words, Shephard included herself in the killing of Baylee Wylie.
— Dave Heintzman (@daveheintzman) May 4, 2018
The Crown told the jury Shephard’s alibi was self serving, and could not be confirmed, adding when she was arrested two and a half months after the murder, she gave officers a false name.
St. Jacques says the 3 of them are seen in the store talking very closely, with no indication of disapproval or Shephard wanting to distance herself from Noel/Morningstar, who have both since been convicted of the death of Wylie.
— Dave Heintzman (@daveheintzman) May 4, 2018
St. Jacques says her name, and picture were everywhere, so why does it take 2 months for police to find her? She says Shephard could not have been gone for 2 whole months without knowing there was an arrest warrant out for her.
— Dave Heintzman (@daveheintzman) May 4, 2018
St. Jacques says that’s exactly the kind of behaviour you’d expect from someone running from charges of first degree murder and arson.
— Dave Heintzman (@daveheintzman) May 4, 2018
The trial resumes Monday morning with Judge Zoël Dionne giving his final instructions to the jury.
The jury will be sequestered immediately after that, but are not expected to begin deliberating until Tuesday morning.
