The Crown presents its opening statement at the Vancouver Law Courts Tuesday, providing a general road map for the jury of how the trial is expected to unfold. (Family handout)
Gruesome details emerge on first day of trial for Oak Bay father charged in daughters' deaths
Crown presents opening statement, calls first witness
Keri Coles
*Warning: The following contains graphic content that is disturbing
The jury hearing the case of the Oak Bay father charged in the double murder of his two little girls on Christmas Day, were faced with gruesome details on day one of the trial.
The trial is done for the day and will reconvene Wednesday morning with more testimony from Oak Bay Const. Piotr Ulanowski. @VictoriaNews #oakbay #yyj pic.twitter.com/Ham6vbgze1
— Keri Coles (@KeriColesPhotog) April 17, 2019
The Crown presented its opening statement at the Vancouver Law Courts Tuesday, providing a general road map for the jury of how the trial is expected to unfold. Crown explained what witnesses it will call to try to prove that Andrew Berry brutally murdered his two daughters, four-year-old Aubrey Berry and six-year-old Chloe Berry, who were found dead in his apartment on Christmas Day in 2017.
Crown prosecutor Clare Jennings described what the jury is expected to hear from expert witnesses in regards to the state of the girls and what led to their deaths. Crown said it expects the jury will be told by a forensic pathologist that Chloe had a fractured skull and that she was stabbed multiple times – some before, some after death – and Aubrey was stabbed multiple times, dying of her wounds.
RELATED: Trial begins for Oak Bay father charged in Christmas Day deaths of two daughters
In its opening statement, Crown also said it will present evidence of the financial situation of Andrew Berry in the lead up to December 2017 – being regularly behind in rent, having his power cut off by BC Hydro, his visa and line of credit being maxed out and his accounts being overdrawn.
Crown said that evidence gathered by sweeping Berry's devices show he searched online, in November 2017, for methods for committing suicide.
As Crown presented its opening, the 14-member jury – nine men and five women – could be seen looking over at Andrew Berry, who appeared emotionless in a navy suit.
Crown's first witness, Oak Bay Const. Piotr Ulanowski, who was first on the scene, took to the stand and choked up when he told the jury what he found when he went to the apartment – blood on the floors and the walls of much of the apartment, the bodies of the two little girls and Berry with significant injuries.
RELATED: Jury selection has begun for trial of Oak Bay father charged with murder of young daughters
Ulanowski testified that he found Andrew Berry lying naked in a bathtub with a black eye and stab wounds in the upper left chest area and throat.
Crown told the jury that it expects first responders will testify they heard Berry say "kill me" and "leave me alone."
The girls were found on beds in two different rooms, already cold and stiff when first responders arrived.
Previous colleagues of Berry from BC Ferries, where he worked until he resigned in May 2017, are expected to testify that Berry regularly complained about the girls' mother Sarah Cotton as well as his parents. The complaints are also laid out in a letter addressed to Berry's sister, found at the scene, that Crown said will be presented during the trial.
Andrew Berry has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder.
The defence has not yet had an opportunity to make arguments.
The trial is expected to last three or four months.
I am at the Vancouver Law Courts today for the start of Andrew Berry's trial. Berry is the Oak Bay father charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of his daughters Chloe, 6, and Aubrey, 4, on Christmas Day 2017. More to come. @VictoriaNews #yyj #oakbay pic.twitter.com/sXlVCBibR3
keri.coles@blackpress.ca
COLUMN: On National Day of Action, expert says overdose crisis is not about pain
Fisheries Department announces conservation measures to protect chinook in B.C.
Russian sand sculptor nabs top solo prize at international competition in Parksville
Works will remain on display until Aug. 18
RCMP bike unit patrols led to 65 arrest warrants, 77 criminal charges in one year
There are currently four members on the year-round West Shore bike patrol unit
Coast Salish artist creates huge drums to soothe the earth
Earth drums will be on display at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre in August
Nanaimo students pushing for youth-led climate advisory group
Group would be responsible for organizing community cleanups, meetings and other events