The jury has started deliberations in the second-degree murder trial of Raymond Cormier.
The 56-year-old is charged with the August 2014 killing of Tina Fontaine.
READ: Emotional, tearful day of closing arguments at Raymond Cormier trial
On Wednesday Justice Glenn Joyal started instructing the jury on the law and their obligations as jurors.
“Deciding the facts is your job,” Justice Joyal said. “You, not I, decide what happened in this case.”
The 11 jurors were reminded to consider only the evidence they heard throughout the three week trial. They have been instructed not to take into consideration any information they may have heard in media reports.
There were 12 members on the jury but one left last week due to an illness in the family.
Justice Joyal told the jurors to stick to their beliefs but to speak and listen to each other.
“Each of you has to decide the case yourself,” he said. “While you must be unanimous, you do not have to all come to the same conclusion with the same reasoning.”
In closing arguments made Tuesday the Crown said Cormier killed Tina, because he had sex with her and then found out she wasn’t age of consent.
The Crown presented audio recordings from a six-month undercover operation in which Cormier was heard telling multiple people he was attracted to the girl.
READ MORE: Raymond Cormier interrogation video seen by jury in Winnipeg courtroom
After three weeks of testimony, lawyers for both sides presented their closing arguments to jurors.
“This is a true whodunnit,” Crown attorney Jim Ross said. “The answer, ladies and gentlemen, was given to you by Mr. Cormier. His own words identified himself as the killer of Tina Fontaine.”
Ross said there are two likely causes of Tina’s death: smothering or drowning. He also told the 11 jurors to disregard Cormier’s denials of being the killer. Instead, asking them to focus on “confessions” heard in secret audio recordings made during an undercover police sting.
RELATED: Cormier says he didn’t do it in police video showed in court
Cormier’s lawyer, Tony Kavanah reminded the jury there is no forensic evidence or DNA linking Cormier and Fontaine.
“Justice for Tina Fontaine does not rest on creating an injustice for Raymond Cormier,” Kavanagh said. “You must acquit.”