London – A police officer who helped the investigation into the disappearance of Tori Stafford is expected to take the stand today, the final day of what the crown is calling ‘the first chapter,’ of their case against Michael Rafferty.
Tori Stafford’s mother testified on Thursday at the trial of the man accused of first-degree murder in the death of her daughter. Tara McDonald stayed calm and collected while detailing her history of drug use and describing the day Tori was abducted.
McDonald recalled the events of April 8, 2009, saying it was a fairly cold day, so Tori was driven the few blocks from her Woodstock home to school.
McDonald said that Tori was expected to walk home from school with her brother. But she didn’t return with him.
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During cross-examination, McDonald said she had always warned Tori about talking to strangers.
It remains unanswered why Tori didn’t walk home with her brother.
When Tori hadn’t returned by 5 p.m. Mcdonald began searching for her.
When questioned why she didn’t go to police immediately, McDonald said she thought it would be premature to report Tori missing without first searching thoroughly.
McDonald also said that despite having taken OxyContin the day of the abduction, she was not afraid of going to the police.
Staff Sgt. James Hess of the Woodstock police said in court today that all resources were brought in to help with the initial search for Tori, including approximately 100 officers from the Ontario Provincial Police, as well as officers from Brantford, Waterloo, London, and St. Thomas.
A few days into the investigation, police released security camera footage gained from College Avenue Secondary School. The footage showed a woman in a white jacket – who had been identified as Terri-Lynn McClintic – walking with Tori Stafford.
McDonald admitted today she had met McClintic twice before, when buying OxyContin from McClintic’s mother. It was a habit, McDonald admitted today, that became daily following Tori’s abduction.
Soon after the infamous “woman in a white coat” security footage was released, McDonald testified that a friend told her that the woman must be McClintic.
McDonald told police, and Staff Sgt. Hess testified today that McClintic was a person of interest since four days after Tori was abducted.
McClintic, who has been convicted of first-degree murder in the Tori Stafford case, is expected to testify before court on Tuesday.
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