Day 1 of Devin Morningstar’s trial for first degree murder and arson in the killing of Baylee Wylie is over.
Just one witness was called – Helen Patria Mandy, a mother of two children who lived next door to the house where Wylie was killed.
Crown Counsel Marc Savoie began by having Mandy run through the events of December 16th where she heard two loud arguments with numerous threats.
She reported the first at 6:30 in the evening upstairs, then the second at 10:30 that night in the basement.
Mandy reports hearing male victim saying “Ow Please Stop” around 10 30 PM in the neighboring basement while doing laundry #Moncton #nb
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) October 19, 2016
Mandy says immediately after that she heard the male aggressor say “If you don’t stop I’m going to shove this down your throat” #Moncton #nb
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) October 19, 2016
Defense Counsel Robert Rideout repeatedly asked Mandy if the threatening voice was from the same person – she was unsure because the second argument was much louder and angrier.
Mandy says she believes there were 4 to 5 people there on Dec 16th including an aggressor, victim, young lady and 1 or 2 others #Moncton
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) October 19, 2016
Mandy says the last thing she heard before going to bed at 1AM was laughing and joking from the neighbour’s bedroom #Moncton #MonctonNews
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) October 19, 2016
Rideout also questioned why Mandy didn’t call 911 at the time.
She admitted she was afraid of repercussions against her and her children after hearing threats earlier in the evening through the wall about someone “ratting to police.”
Mandy told Rideout she was emotionally panicked and afraid of repercussions for her and her kids so didn’t call 911 #Moncton #MonctonNews
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) October 19, 2016
Next thing Mandy remembers is waking up to firefighters breaking down her door at 4am because of fire at 96 Sumac 1/2 #Moncton #MonctonNews
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) October 19, 2016
2/2 Mandy says her first thought hearing the noise at 4am was the neighbours had broken in and she was scared for her and her kids #Moncton
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) October 19, 2016
The trial resumes tomorrow morning at 9:30 with the Crown calling more witnesses.
Baylee Wylie’s Mother was in the courtroom all day, and was stoic for the most part, with a few gasps and exclamations at particular moments of the testimony.
She did not wish to speak to media.
