Accused in death of Charlotte Lafferty spotted fleeing scene, RCMP officer testifies

An RCMP officer testifiedFriday that he saw the man accused of murdering Charlotte Lafferty run from the scene of the crime carrying a stick believed to be used in her brutal attack.

The accused, who was 17 years old at the time of Lafferty's death, is on trial in Yellowknife for allegedly beating the young mother to death in March 2014. The now 19-year-old has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.His name cannot be published under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The jury trial started last week in N.W.T. Supreme Court and is expected to continue for two more weeks.

Police believe a 90 centimetre longstick was used in the beating. It was wrapped in a sealed plastic bag and passed among the jurors last week.

• RCMP testify in trial of youth charged in death of Charlotte Lafferty

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Const.Michael Pudsey testified on Friday that he was the first officer to arrive at the scene near Fort Good Hope's elders complex just after 7:30 a.m.

He said he saw a person walking, carrying a stick on his shoulder like a baseball bat.

Pudsey drove up to the young manand said he noticed red stains on one end of the stick.

"He looked me dead set in the eyes," Pudsey said in court. " I could see him clearly, his eyes widened and he ran."

Pudsey saidhe recognized the young man, remembering him from the day he arrived in the Northwest Territories for his first posting as a police officer in Fort Good Hope.

He said he stood with RCMP officers as they questioned the youth about bringing alcohol into the community.

"It's something you always remember," said Pudsey. "Your first call."

He gave chase and eventually caught up to the young man. Pudseytestified that he had his fingertips on the collar of the youth's jacket when he tripped and fell.

Pudsey then went back toward the crime scene and saw the victim laying on her back, naked in the snow.

"As soon as I looked down at the person I was shocked at what I saw. It was like something out of a horror film."

Pudsey said Lafferty's face was severely beaten. He shook her arm to get a response and said that she groaned.

He reached under her arms and, walking backwards, pulled her toward his truck to bring her to the health centre. As he reached the truck another officer arrived they both checked the victim for a pulse but could not find one.

Pudsey said someone from the health centre arrived shortly after and confirmed that Lafferty was dead.

The trial is expected to turn to the hours leading up to the attack this week. People who were with the accused and with Lafferty that night are expected to testify. The jurors will also likely hear from an elder who witnessed the attack and frantically tried to call police.