1st-degree murder trial of Claude Larouche begins

The first-degree murder trial of Claude Larouche began Wednesday at a Montreal courthouse.

The Montrealer is accused of kidnapping and killing 37-year-old Natasha Cournoyer.

The Corrections Canada employee was last seen leaving her office late on Oct. 1, 2009.

Her body was found six days later, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que.

Larouche was arrested at his Ahuntsic home three weeks after Cournoyer’s body had been found.

He was living with a woman and children at the time.

The prosecution will argue Larouche abducted Cournoyer, held her against her will, sexually assaulted and strangled her to death.

Larouche allegedly kidnapped Cournoyer from the parking lot near her office.

In addition to avoiding media coverage of the trial, the jury was specifically instructed not to use Facebook, Twitter, or any social media to discuss the case.

Over the next few weeks, the prosecution will aim to prove that without a doubt, Larouche is guilty of the charges laid against him.

To do so, the Crown will call several witnesses to the stand, including police officers, crime scene technicians, experts and civilians.

The trial is expeted to last about six weeks.