Alicia Murphy was found guilty of second-degree murder yesterday evening by a Supreme Court jury.
Murphy, 29, is accused of having beaten and drowned Evangeline Billy, 24, in Whitehorse on June 22, 2008. The body of the Carmacks resident was found in the shallows of the Yukon River near Wood Street.
During the trial, the jury heard testimony, from both Murphy’s sister and a friend, that she had confessed to beating and accidently killing Billy before dumping the woman’s body in the river.
In her defence, Murphy told the court that she was smoking crack with a drug dealer at the time of Billy’s death. Her alibi is impossible to verify, because the man she claimed to be with is now dead.
Second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence. Murphy’s parole eligibility has yet to be set by the judge. It could be granted after 10 to 25 years.
(John Thompson)
Don’t fall for the drunken schtick: RCMP
Late Friday evening, a Crestview woman who was home with her two children heard someone shouting and pounding on her front door.
She called a neighbour who confronted the man, who behaved drunkenly and claimed he thought he was at his friend’s house.
He then staggered down the road. A small white car was seen driving suspiciously slow down the street shortly afterwards.
Only in the morning did the woman realize someone had tried to jimmy open her door.
Whitehorse RCMP have received a spate of similar complaints recently.
“We don’t want to alarm anyone but it is always a good practice to be aware of who is at your door, especially late at night,” said Sgt. Don Rogers in a release. “If you have any doubt or if a person is intoxicated or acting strangely, then please call the police.”
Police also recommend the following precautions:
* Keep your home well lit and your sidewalks and driveway clear of snow.
* Advise neighbours or a friend if you are going to be home alone or if your residence is going to be vacant for a period of time.
* Never answer your door late at night without knowing who is outside.
* Keep emergency numbers close at hand or programmed into your phone.
* Keep your vehicles clear of snow to show someone is actively using them.
* Keep the doors to your vehicles and residences locked and secure any valuables.
* Never leave keys in an easily accessible location where they can be stolen.
* Ensure your ATVs and snowmobiles are locked up and keys are removed from the ignition.
(John Thompson)
New library plans unveiled
Whitehorse’s public library will move into the Kwanlin Dun First Nation’s new cultural centre in 2012, Community Services Minister Archie Lang announced yesterday.
The new library will occupy the southern end of the new building and feature views of the Yukon River, said Lang.
He promised the new space will be brighter and more spacious than the library’s current cramped confines in the government’s administration building.
In fact, the new library will have much the same square footage as the old building, but more of the floor space will be open to the public.
Ground was broken for the cultural centre earlier this month. The building is expected to be complete by late 2011.
(John Thompson)