Details of Calnen murder trial come to surface as jury deliberation starts

HALIFAX – A jury is currently deliberating to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to find Paul Trevor Calnen guilty of murder.

Now that deliberations have started, we can start to report on details that we were previously unable to. Under the law, during a jury trial, we can only report what is being said or what evidence is presented when the jury is present until deliberations begin.

READ MORE: Paul Calnen murder trial hears final arguments before verdict

Earlier this week, the case against Paul Trevor Calnen almost ended abruptly.

The crown finished presenting their case Monday and that’s when defence lawyer Peter Planetta asked for the judge to consider a motion called a directed verdict. That is when a judge must consider the evidence presented against an accused and decide whether or not to acquit the accused or continue with the trial.

In this case, Justice James Chipman reviewed the matter and heard legal arguments on the case from both the crown and defence.

The defence argued that just because Calnen was present when Jordan died does not make her death a homicide. Planetta told the court that there was no direct evidence in the case and the court needs a murder before they can discuss the evidence to support a murder charge.

READ MORE: ‘Reita is much more than just this.’ Jordan family speaks as murder trial nears end

The crown told the court that Calnen had motive to kill Jordan and called her death a domestic homicide.

In rendering his decision, Justice Chipman said he isn’t surprised that Planetta asked for a directed verdict, he reviewed the case and all submissions from both the crown and the defence. In the end, Chipman decided the trial should proceed and dismissed the motion of a directed verdict.

Jordan’s family were nervous heading into court to hear the decision. They broke out into hugs when the Judge said things would continue.

Medical examiner testimony

One of the witnesses that was called during the voir dire was Dr. Marnie Wood, a medical examiner. The jury was not present during this and therefore we could not report on it prior to them beginning their deliberations.

Dr. Wood told the court she has previously testified at more than two dozen trials and is an expert in determining cause and manner of death. She told the court she looked at the scene where Paul Calnen alleges Reita Jordan fell down the stairs and died instantaneously.

READ MORE: Videotaped statement from Calnen presented to jury on day 4 of second-degree murder trial

According to Dr. Wood, typically when they see instantaneous deaths from falling down the stairs it would be in a victim that is middle age or older. Jordan was 34 when she died.

She also told the court that sometimes people may appear dead but are actually unconscious.

During cross-examination, defence lawyer Peter Planetta pointed out that Dr. Wood is making these determinations without having examined a body or autopsy results.

The jury never heard the testimony from Dr. Marnie Wood or another forensic expert that was presented by the defence.