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UPDATE: Foerster says he did it

KELOWNA, B.C. — Mathew Foerster, the man on trial in Kelowna for the murder of 18 year old Taylor Van Diest says he did it, he’s the one who caused the injuries that killed her.

In a surprising development, that admission was presented as evidence to the jury this morning, just as the second day of testimony got underway.

Foerster injured Van Diest on Halloween night 2011 as she walked along some railway tracks. She was found a short time hidden in the bush, with serious injuries to her head and neck. She died of those injuries in hospital a few hours later.

Today the first thing the jury heard was that Foerster’s defense lawyer had signed a document of admission, saying Foerster was responsible for her injuries. The judge told the jury they can take that admission as a fact that “needs not to be proven, you can take that as evidence beyond reasonable doubt”. Facebook/ Global Okanagan

The 28 year old Cherryville man is charged with First Degree murder. In his opening statement, the crown counsel says Foerster admits he was trying to sexually assault the teenager, when things “got out of hand”.

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The trial continues with the jury hearing more testimony from first responders. But now that the question of who did it has been resolved, the issue will be is he guilty of first degree murder, second degree murder or the lesser charge of manslaughter.

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