Massicotte murder suspect testifies

A Quebec City man accused of killing a woman he met online seven years ago says he doesn't know what happened to her.

Alain Perreault, 48, is accused of first-degree murder in the death of Chambly, Que. resident Lyne Massicotte, who disappeared after travelling to Quebec City to meet Perrault on July 17, 2003.

Perrealt testified at his trial at the Quebec City courthouse Monday that Massicotte left his apartment at 6 p.m. the night she disappeared, and he never saw her again.

His testimony contrasts with an apparent video confession presented by the prosecution last week, which showed Perreault admitting to having murdered Massicotte to an undercover police officer posing as the boss of a criminal organization that Perreault had joined.

But Perreault says he told the undercover office he had killed Massicotte because the man didn't believe him when he told the truth, and out of fear of being killed, he made up a story.

Police said they found Massicotte's car three days after she disappeared in Old Quebec.

The 43-year-old'sbody was never found.

A surprise witness

Malvina Michele Roy, 80, contacted defence lawyers for the first time two days ago, and testified Monday that she saw Massicotte the night she disappeared.

She said she tried to tell police seven years ago that she had seen Massicotte, but they hung up on her.

While on the stand today, Roy said she met Massicotte near the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City at 7:30 p.m. the night she disappeared.

She said the two chatted for about half an hour, and Massicotte told her that she had come from Chambly to see a man she had met online, but that she found him childish.

Before the two parted, Roy said Massicotte told her she would be leaving the city shortly.

The Crown questioned Roy's credibility and is expected to cross-examine Perreault Monday afternoon.