Joseph Laboucan found guilty in death of Ellie May Meyer

It was supposed to be a six week trial, but after just 46 minutes, a judge has found Joseph Laboucan guilty of first degree murder in the death of Ellie May Meyer in 2005.

The body of the 33-year-old was found near Fort Saskatchewan in May of that year.

Laboucan entered a not guilty plea in court Monday morning, but in a surprise turn of events, his lawyer said that they would not be calling any witnesses, or attempting to counter arguments made by the crown.

In response, the crown announced that instead of calling witnesses, they would rely on testimony and the more than 900 pages of transcripts from the preliminary hearing, as well as evidence such as autopsy reports.

During the preliminary hearing, a friend of Laboucan testified that he had a finger belonging to Meyer in a bag in a hotel room fridge.

Sentencing is expected to be handed down on Monday afternoon, although a first degree murder conviction automatically comes with a sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Laboucan is already serving a life sentence for the murder of Nina Courtepatte in April of 2005.

Michael Briscoe has also been charged in the deaths of both Nina Courtepatte and Ellie May Meyer.

A separate trial will be held for Brisoce in relation to Meyer’s death.

With files from Fletcher Kent.