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LaFrance pleads not guilty to first degree murder

Last Updated Nov 21, 2017 at 8:27 pm MDT

Nigel LaFrance is pleading not guilty to first degree murder in the 2015 death of Anthony Yasinski, but instead to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

LaFrance, who was 19 at the time of the murder, is accused of stabbing Yasinski in the neck and head on Mustang Rd. on Mar. 17, 2015. The victim was able to flee and was transported by ambulance to Northern Lights Regional Hospital before succumbing to his injuries.

The Crown opened the trial on Nov. 21, 2017 at the Fort McMurray Provincial Court House. Crown Prosecutor Lori Dunford said in her opening statement that LaFrance lured Yasinski with the intention to kill him and take his money, after purchasing drugs.

The jury of 12 heard from Corporal Scott Hoekstra, who worked in the Forensic Identification Section of Wood Buffalo RCMP at the time, and is now assigned to the RCMP detachment in Red Deer.

Hoekstra showed the jury several photos from the different scenes including Yasinski’s vehicle where it’s alleged the stabbing took place, along with DNA swab kits, a map of locations related to the crime, and a knife, believed to be the murder weapon, found on a nearby fence.

The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.