Jury in Saint John murder trial watches girlfriend's initial interview with police

On Wednesday afternoon, the jury got to watch an interview Megan Ross gave police about 45 minutes after her boyfriend, Justin Breau, was fatally stabbed in front of her.

Charles Shatford, 49, and Donald Walker, 52, are on trial for first-degree murder in Breau'sAug. 17, 2022, death.

in the interview, Ross told Det. Const. Christopher McCutcheon that she and Breau were sitting around smoking a joint when three masked men burst into their Charles Street apartment.

She said the men didn't sayanything before they started stabbing Breau and thathe didn't get a chance to defend himself or say anything before the attack.

"He couldn't even get a word in."

She said she couldn't identify the menbut they "clearly know Justin." She said she didn't think it was random.

After the interview with McCutcheon, Ross went to the hospital where she met up with Breau's motherSusanne, who was in a private room in the emergency department with Det. Const. Duane Squires, who had informed her about her son's death.

On Wednesday afternoon, Squires testifiedhe was talking to Susanne Breau when Ross arrived.

He said Ross seemed to focus exclusively on Susanneand didn't seem to notice anyone else in the room.

Squires said Susanneimmediately demanded to know what had happened and whether Rosshad seen who did it.

Ross answered"Donnie Walker," said Squires.

At that point, the officer said he stepped up to introduce himself as a police officer. He said Ross seemed to become aware of other people in the room for the first time.

Squires said Ross looked at Jerry Cromwell, whohe believed was there with Susanne and who's been described as a friend of Walker's, and said, "I don't know who did it."

Squires said things in the room became awkwardand Ross and Susanneboth "pleaded with Jerry not to say anything."

Laurett Nwaonumah, a civilian employee of the Saint John Police Force who helps victims navigate the criminal justice system, was also in the room with Squires and Susannewhen Ross arrived.

She testified Wednesday that she also heard Ross name Walker.

Nwaonumah and Squires both said Ross blurted out the name when Breau's mother asked her what happened, but then immediately retracted the statement when she noticed other people in the room. Both said she seemed particularly concerned about Cromwell.

The jurors were told they will be off until Monday morning while the lawyers sort out some legal issues in their absence.