Image Credit: FILE PHOTO
February 04, 2020 - 1:40 PM
A Kamloops RCMP serious crimes unit officer took the stand at the first-degree murder trial of David Albert Miller today.
Miller is accused of killing 52-year-old Debra Novacluse after her body was found wrapped in a sleeping bag underneath a blood-stained mattress inside a Super 8 motel room nearly four years ago. Miller’s trial has been taking place over the last month and is expected to wrap up tomorrow, Feb. 5, after Crown prosecutors call their final witness, pathologist Dr. Lisa Steele.
Today, Feb. 4, Kamloops RCMP Const. Colt Dzaman testified about his involvement with the police investigation into Novacluse’s death.
READ MORE: Court hears how Kamloops murder victim spent final hours
Court heard Dzaman travelled from Kamloops to Calgary on August 31, 2016 after receiving information Miller had travelled there in Novacluse’s vehicle.
Dzaman says he and another officer attended the Calgary airport to obtain surveillance footage in an effort to identify Miller and the vehicle he was driving.
The next day, Sept. 1, 2016, Dzaman testified they located Novacluse’s 2006 Ford pickup truck near a Denny’s restaurant.
Inside the truck, police found minimal items including a government cheque in Novacluse’s name. They also found a Super 8 motel receipt that was in Miller’s name and stated room 112.
Dzaman says he then departed Calgary and left for Golden after receiving information that Miller’s bank card had been used at a Husky gas station there.
A video clip played in court showed a man fitting Miller’s description getting out of a pickup truck, making a purchase at the front counter and then leaving.
Police were then sent to Revelstoke on Sept. 2, 2016, after receiving information from Kamloops RCMP investigators that Miller had disclosed he had discarded some of Novacluse’s items in a garbage bin near a McDonald’s restaurant. Dzaman says the search of the garbage bin did not turn up any items of interest. Miller was in Ontario on Sept. 1, 2016.
According to Crown prosecutor Monica Fras, Miller told police he took “responsibility” for the death of Novacluse initially. He pleaded not guilty to one count of first degree murder on Jan. 13.
For past stories on this trial, go here.
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