RED DEER – A witness broke down on the stand Wednesday during the first degree murder trial of Brian Malley in Red Deer.
Victoria Shachtay’s caregiver had warned the Innisfail woman not to open a mysterious package found outside her townhouse.
It contained a pipe-bomb that killed the 23 year old single mother November 25th, 2011.
Marlene Punongbayan says she told Shachtay to call police after the green paper package (wrapped like a Christmas gift) was left on her townhouse doorstep.
Shachtay ignored the advice and unwrapped the bag. It contained a gunpowder pipe-bomb which exploded, instantly killing the paraplegic who was confined to a wheelchair.
Crown Prosecutors claim that 57 year old Brian Malley, a financial advisor, built the bomb to kill Shachtay after he lost almost $600,000 she invested with him. The money was part of an insurance settlement after a car accident paralyzed the single mother.
The caregiver testified that ten days before Shachtay died she called Malley, demanding the financial advisor pay back money he allegedly owed her.
Defence lawyers claim Malley is not guilty of the homicide. They say he doesn’t know how to build a pipe bomb and he didn’t steal any money from the victim.
The trial will continue over the next month in Red Deer.
If Brian Malley is convicted of first degree murder, he’ll receive an automatic life sentence with no parole for at least 25 years.
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