Close X
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
ADVT 
National

N.S. Man Guilty Of Thrill Killing In Case That Used Beyond-The-Grave Testimony

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Mar, 2016 12:47 PM
    SYDNEY, N.S. — A judge has found a Nova Scotia man guilty of murdering a 19-year-old woman solely for thrills, in a case that turned partly on evidence from a dead witness. 
     
    Thomas Ted Barrett, 41, strangled Brett MacKinnon because watching her die "excited" him, said Judge Robin Gogan.
     
    MacKinnon's decayed remains were found in 2008 near a Glace Bay hiking trail, two years after she went missing. It is the first of two murder trials for Barrett involving young female victims.
     
    On Monday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court, Gogan said she accepted evidence from Crown witnesses who said Barrett had told them he'd killed MacKinnon with his bare hands. 
     
    The Crown case relied partly on Sheryl Ann Flynn's videotaped account of Barrett telling her in 2006 that he felt "a rush'' of adrenaline as his hands tightened on MacKinnon's throat.
     
    Gogan said during her decision that Flynn's evidence, given before her overdose death, was weakened because she couldn't be cross examined by defence counsel.
     
    However, she also said similar testimony from other Crown witnesses was consistent with a "bizarre pattern of disclosure" by Barrett to acquaintances and girlfriends that built a case proving his guilt.
     
    "It belies coincidence," said Gogan.
     
    The defence had painted a picture of Flynn and other witnesses as drug addicts with criminal records, saying their credibility was suspect.
     
    The prosecution had countered that Flynn's memories were consistent with other witnesses who described Barrett saying he'd strangled MacKinnon or made a visible gesture indicating he'd strangled her.
     
    In her summary of facts she accepted, Gogan outlined a frightening scene in the last minutes of the young woman's life.
     
    "Mr. Barrett became upset ... He grabbed her and choked her by the throat. He thought he broke her neck," said the judge.
     
    "He continued to strangle her because the act of watching her die excited him."
     
    "He wrapped her in a carpet and in middle of the night took her to a location and disposed of her."
     
    Barrett is also charged in the second-degree murder of Laura Jessome, 21, in 2012, whose remains were discovered May 25 in a hockey bag floating on the Mira River.
     
    Barrett was surrounded by sheriffs when he stood for his verdict in the packed courtroom, but he showed no visible emotion.
     
    MacKinnon's family members wept and some clapped lightly as the verdict was read, but they declined comment as they departed the courtroom.
     
    The judge set down April 13 as the sentencing date in Sydney.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Police Release Terrifying Photo Of Axe-Wielding Robber In Tinted Helmet

    Police Release Terrifying Photo Of Axe-Wielding Robber In Tinted Helmet
    RCMP Cpl. Rick Mills says in nine years he has never seen a convenience store robbery similar to the one Saturday night in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador

    Police Release Terrifying Photo Of Axe-Wielding Robber In Tinted Helmet

    Jewish Groups Demand Ottawa Strip Helmut Oberlander Of Citizenship, Deport Him From Canada

    Jewish Groups Demand Ottawa Strip Helmut Oberlander Of Citizenship, Deport Him From Canada
    In a letter to Citizenship Minister John McCallum, the groups say it's time to put an end to what has been a 20-year battle to deport Helmut Oberlander.

    Jewish Groups Demand Ottawa Strip Helmut Oberlander Of Citizenship, Deport Him From Canada

    Homeless Saskatchewan Man Given One-way Bus Ticket Hopes For New Life In B.C.

    Homeless Saskatchewan Man Given One-way Bus Ticket Hopes For New Life In B.C.
    Charles Neil-Curly, 23, has been homeless for about five months and living in a North Battleford, Sask. shelter, but he says the province cut his funding, forcing him to find somewhere else to go.

    Homeless Saskatchewan Man Given One-way Bus Ticket Hopes For New Life In B.C.

    Canada To Admit Record Number Of Immigrants In 2016

    Canada To Admit Record Number Of Immigrants In 2016
    The government of Canada announced an ambitious plan for 2016 immigration levels on Tuesday, aimed at reuniting more families.

    Canada To Admit Record Number Of Immigrants In 2016

    Dad Appeals Conviction In Death Of Daughter Whose Body Was Found In Burning Suitcase

    Dad Appeals Conviction In Death Of Daughter Whose Body Was Found In Burning Suitcase
    Everton Biddersingh argues there is still evidence in his case which has not been submitted to court.

    Dad Appeals Conviction In Death Of Daughter Whose Body Was Found In Burning Suitcase

    Strong Gusts Down Trees, Cut Power To Thousands Of South Coast Homes

    Strong Gusts Down Trees, Cut Power To Thousands Of South Coast Homes
    Environment Canada says potentially damaging wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour are sweeping across most of region.

    Strong Gusts Down Trees, Cut Power To Thousands Of South Coast Homes