FILE PHOTO - A police vehicle is pictured in this August 27, 2016, photo near a dumpster at the Super 8 motel in Aberdeen.
(STAFF / iNFOnews.ca)
January 13, 2020 - 12:53 PM
The body of 52-year-old Debra Novacluse was found in a sleeping bag with a blood-stained mattress on top by cleaning staff at a Kamloops motel nearly four years ago, court heard today in the first day of trial for the man accused of killing her.
David Miller is charged with the first degree murder of Novacluse and initially took responsibility for her death, but he pleaded not guilty today, Jan. 13, in Kamloops Supreme Court.
Crown prosecutor Monica Fras says Kamloops RCMP were called to the Super 8 Motel on the morning of Aug. 27, 2016. Police located Novacluse in the blue sleeping bag with a blood-stained mattress placed on top. Novacluse also had injuries on her body, Fras says.
RCMP identified Miller as the person who had rented the motel room for two nights on August 25 and August 26, 2016. Police later reviewed surveillance footage and found Miller had left the motel room on the morning of August 27, 2016 in the victim’s vehicle.
Novacluse’s vehicle was later found in Calgary, Alta. But Miller was arrested days later in Ontario on Sept. 1, 2016. According to Fras, Miller told police he took “responsibility” for the death of Novacluse initially.
Lawyers met today to begin a week long voir dire hearing to determine whether or not Miller gave his statements to police voluntarily.
The trial is expected to take five weeks in total with the proper trial expected to begin on Monday, Jan. 20.
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