Jonathan Walter Billy was originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of Troy Matthew Emmons, but is now facing a manslaughter charge.
Emmons was stabbed to death in the early hours of June 30th, 2017, in a home at 551 6th Street.
Thirty-nine-year-old Billy has been free on bail and was surrounded by family and friends as he sat in the prisoner’s box Wednesday, facing the reduced charge of manslaughter.
Emmons was been stabbed several times and died outside the home.
Police spent that entire day at the scene collecting evidence, including forensic investigator Josh Jamieson who testified Wednesday about blood found in the house and on articles of clothing.
A knife was also found at the scene. It was described in court as a serrated knife like one that would be used for filleting fish. That was from Kelsey Davies who was in the house at the time.
When a Crown prosecutor asked her if she’d heard yelling or seen any fighting, she replied, “It was a drug house, so it wasn’t uncommon to hear arguing and bickering.”
Davies was pressed further on what she’d seen and heard but Davies said she was high and couldn’t remember much.
Jonathan Billy has hired well-known Victoria criminal lawyer James Heller to defend him.
Dean Stoltz
