A dramatic 911 call placed at the time of Kristin Johnston’s death was played in a Nova Scotia courtroom on Tuesday.
Johnston, 32, was found dead at her home on Oceanview Drive off Purcells Cove Road on March 26, 2016. Nicholas Butcher has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder and is currently on trial.
Jordan Masters, a 911 dispatcher, testified he took the call on March 26, 2016. In the call, Butcher says he is at 17 Oceanview Drive and needs help.
“I need help. I’m dying,” Butcher says on the call, while breathing loudly.
Masters told the court that he, an EHS ambulance dispatcher and Butcher were the three people on the call.
“I’m dying, I cut off my hand,” Butcher is heard saying on the tape.
“My girlfriend is dead. I killed her, then I tried to kill myself.”
The defence had no questions for Masters after the call was played.
Nicholas Butcher’s friend testifies
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Earlier in the day, a longtime friend of Butcher’s testified also testified at Nova Scotia Supreme Court.
Adam Chisholm, 36, said he has known Butcher for about 15 years and that the pair often hung out, including on the night of March 25, 2016 — the day before it’s alleged he killed his girlfriend, Kristin Johnston.
READ MORE: Kristin Johnston’s final hours detailed by friends at Butcher murder trial in Halifax
Chisholm said he had met Johnston several times and that he and Butcher had helped renovate her yoga studio shortly before she left on a trip to visit family in Florida and a friend in Costa Rica in March 2016.
Chisholm told the court that on the night in question, Butcher texted him requesting some “Chisholm-Butcher time” — what the pair called it when they hung out. He said Butcher was working that day and came over to his house around 8 p.m.
Chisholm testified that Butcher showed up that night with Johnston’s dog, Charley. The two had a drink, watched television and talked about various things including a potential job opportunity for Butcher in Ontario and his relationship with Johnston.
Chisholm said when Butcher arrived that night, he seemed upset but that his mood lightened up as the evening went on.
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Chisholm said the dog stayed with them the entire night and explained that Charley had some health issues, including anxiety, a skin condition and strict diet. He said Butcher brought specific food for the dog to eat.
Chisholm told the jury that he fell asleep on the couch and woke up around dawn. When he got up to go to bed, he said Butcher was gone. He looked outside his house and Butcher’s vehicle was also gone but Charley the dog was sleeping on the bed in the spare room.
Chisholm said he went to his room and slept. When he woke up around 9 a.m., he sent a message to both Butcher and Johnston saying he had Charley and could drop her off or keep her for a while. He never got a response.
Later that day, Chisholm said he found out that Johnston was dead.
Michael Belyea testifies about drinking with Johnston on night before her death
Tuesday began with the defence cross examining Michael Belyea.
On Monday Belyea told the jury that he had known Johnston since 2009. On the night of March 25, 2016, he told the court that went out for a drink and ended up meeting up with Johnston and some other friends. He only stayed at the bar about half-an-hour before going home to his new apartment.
READ MORE: Murder victim’s friend faces cross-examination at Nicholas Butcher trial
After exchanging some messages back and forth, Belyea said on March 26, 2016 at around 1 a.m., Belyea testified that Johnston and her friend Lisa Abramowicz came over to his house. Once there, he said the trio had a drink and listened to records.
Belyea said at one point, a man walked up the stairs and directly into his apartment, saying he was looking for Kristin. According to Belyea, Johnston and the man spoke inside before heading outside to continue their conversation. When Johnston came back inside, she told Belyea that she and her boyfriend had broken up.
A short time later, Abramowicz left the apartment and Belyea said he and Johnston were kissing in his bedroom when he felt someone push his shoulder. Belyea said the same man who previously walked into his place looking for Johnston was in his bedroom and asked Johnston what she was doing.
WATCH: Kristin Johnston’s best friend testifies at Nicholas Butcher murder trial
Belyea testified that neither Johnston nor the man were crying but he felt they were upset so he left the apartment so they could talk. Belyea said the man didn’t seem aggressive with Johnston. About 15 minutes later, he came back to his home and said that Johnston and the man were gone.
Around 5:30 a.m. on the same day, Belyea said he received a message from Johnston that said she was sorry. That was the last time Belyea heard from Johnston, she was found dead at her home later that day.
Police have never said how Johnston was killed. However, in their opening address to the court, the Crown said the Medical Examiner will testify that the 32-year-old yoga teacher died as the result of 10 wounds to her neck.
In total, 20 court days have been set aside to hear the matter. The Crown has said they intend to call about 40 witnesses during the trial. The defence has yet to say if they plan to call any evidence and that their decision will be made once the Crown closes their case.
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