WATCH: A second-degree murder judge and a jury trial has begun for a Ladysmith man accused of stabbing and killing a 55-year-old woman. It happened at a trailer park in February of 2015. And as Kendall Hanson reports the intent of the accused is the key part of the trial.
This is a day the victim’s son and sister had been waiting for since February of 2015.
They arrived at the Duncan courthouse for the murder trial of Trevor George Meers.
He’s accused of stabbing 55-year old Rayna Johnson to death at a Ladysmith RV park.
“I hope that justice is served,” said Tim Johnson, the victim’s son. “I hope he realizes what he’s done is wrong.”
The accused and the victim lived in separate trailers at Campers Corner RV Park.
First responders arrived to find Johnson bleeding from multiple stab wounds. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.
“Justice needs to be served so Tim and rest of the family, we can all get some peace of mind and some closure,” said Wendy Macleod, the victim’s sister. “[We need] to remember her for who she was and not what happened to her.”
In an agreed statement of facts, the court heard a woman who lived with Meers was there at times while the attack took place and that she called 911 at Meers request.
RCMP found a homemade spear with Johnson’s blood on it outside Meers trailer. Her blood was also found on Meers pant leg.
But Meers lawyers told the jury this isn’t a “who done it.”
“Crown has to prove intent, that the accused intended the death,” said Meers lawyer Stephen Taylor. “And the defence is arguing that the appropriate verdict would be manslaughter, that is the death was caused by the accused but it wasn’t intentional.”
The crown expects to call nine witnesses to the stand and the defence also told the jury that Meers will take the stand.
The trial is expected to run until Jan. 24.
Kendall Hanson
