FILE PHOTO - A police vehicle is pictured in this August 27, 2016, photo near a dumpster at the Super 8 motel in Aberdeen.

Image Credit: staff

A defence lawyer representing an Abbotsford man charged with first-degree murder for killing a 52-year-old woman in a Kamloops motel room nearly four years ago will not be calling any evidence, court heard today.

That means David Albert Miller won't be testifying in his own defence and suggests his defence lawyer thinks the Crown doesn't have enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did it.

Miller was arrested on Sept. 1, 2016 in Ontario after the body of Debra Novacluse was found wrapped in a sleeping bag under a blood-stained mattress in a Kamloops Super 8 motel room in August 2016. Over the last month, witnesses ranging from police officers, forensic investigators, pathologists and even the people who partied with Novacluse and Miller before her death have testified in the first-degree murder trial.

READ MORE: Victim in Kamloops motel murder died from blunt force trauma, strangulation

READ MORE: Defence suggests ‘rough sex’ in Kamloops murder trial

Today, Feb. 6, defence lawyer, Jim Heller, told the court he would not be calling any evidence. The trial will resume Tuesday, Feb. 11 for closing arguments.

Crown prosecutor Neil Wiberg estimates their closing arguments will take roughly an hour. Heller expects his will take longer.

A forensic pathologist who testified yesterday, Feb. 5, told the court Novacluse died from a combination of injuries caused by blunt force trauma and strangulation. Some of Novacluse’s injuries included fractured ribs, extensive bruising around her neck and head area, swelling in her brain and vaginal tearing that was likely caused by a large object.

Miller pleaded not guilty to the first degree murder charge on Jan. 13.

For past stories on this case, go here. 

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