deadmonton - the trial of michael white - november 3rd, 2006
Liana White, 29, was stabbed to death July 12th, 2005.
Michael White, then 28, was charged with second-degree murder and offering an indignity to a dead body.
<< november 2nd, 2006 | the michael white trial | november 7th, 2006 >>
The second day of the trial only ran for several hours.
Testimony was focused on a number of witnesses who first saw Liana's brown Ford Explorer at about 5:45 a.m. in the parking lot next to a baseball diamond at 157th Avenue and 116th Street.
They reported seeing the driver's side door wide open and with a purse and shoes lying on the ground.
The most significant testimony came from one of Michael White's neighbours, Paul Beaudoin.
He described White, an ex-military man and heavy-duty mechanic, as a friendly neighbour who had twice fixed Beaudoin's van.
A steel worker for AltaSteel, Beaudoin left his night shift early as he was not feeling well.
He testified it was about 5 a.m. when he saw White slide through a yield sign at 161st Avenue and Dunluce Road.
To my knowledge, I saw Michael White driving the SUV, making a left turn onto 161 Avenue, said Beaudoin. To my knowledge it was him. Im not 100% sure.
 |
Beaudoin told the jury he recognized both the Explorer and its driver, whom he could only see from the neck up.
I saw a guy with no hair, said Beaudoin, who identified White in court.
"I saw him drive by and I waved I guess he didn't see me," Beaudoin testified.
"In my mind, Oh, he's late for work. He's in a big rush. "
Beaudoin thought it odd that White was behind the wheel of Liana's SUV as he usually drove a pick-up truck.
Beaudoin also said his one-time neighbour now looks different because his head is no longer shaved and he has grown out his hair.
The Crown also presented the testimony of Eva Brada.
Brada ran a day care the Whites used for their then-three-year-old daughter Ashley.
She said Michael White dropped the girl off on July 12, 2005 at about 7:20 a.m.
I said good morning. He said hi. I asked how are you. He said good, testified Brada.
The day care owner noticed nothing unusual and described White as wearing shorts and work boots that day.
The trial continued November 7th, 2006