Saint John murder trial hears victim's body had nearly 2 dozen wounds
CBC
Justin Breau was stabbed or struck nearly two dozen times, according to the pathologist that performed a post-mortem examination.
Testifying at the first-degree murder trial in Saint John, Dr. Mohammad Hossain led the 13-member jury through a series of photographs that were taken during Breau's autopsy.
Hossain described 23 individual wounds that were caused by either blunt- or sharp-force trauma.
Most were superficial scratches and abrasions, he said, although some penetrated much deeper.
Hossain told the jury the fatal injury was a stab wound to Breau's chest that punctured his heart.
The doctor said tests revealed that Breau had a variety of drugs in his system at the time of his death, including cocaine and methamphetamine.
Charles William Shatford, 49, and Donald Robert Walker, 51, are on trial for first-degree murder in Breau's death.
On Tuesday a series of witnesses — and Breau's own voice from recordings played in court — helped piece together the final two days of Breau's life.
The 39-year-old was serving a drug-related sentence until Aug. 15 — two days before his death.
Robert Hawkins, the deputy superintendent of the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre, helped police collect several phone recordings of Breau that were made the night before his release.
Several of those recordings were played in court. Most reveal angry exchanges between Breau and his girlfriend Megan Ross, including one where she hung up without responding to his "I love you." He called back and resumed the argument.
Unidentifiable sounds could be heard from her side, and Breau could be heard saying, "Hello? Hello?" She didn't answer but a man's voice could be heard saying "Come on."
Breau's next call was to his mother, saying Ross had overdosed and someone had started CPR. Breau asked his mother to call 911.
When he next reached Ross by phone, Breau launched into a screaming tirade, where little beyond obscenities could be made out. He made it clear that he wanted Ross to give his apartment keys back to his mother.
