Trial of Moncton man accused of murdering 18-year-old hears last of Crown witnesses

The prosecution finished calling evidence in a Moncton murder trial Wednesday morning.

"We can advise the court that the Crown is closing its case," Crown prosecutor Stephen Holt said before Justice Robert Dysart sent the 13 jurors home for the remainder of the day. 

The Crown finished its case six weeks into the trial of 20-year-old Riley Phillips, who is being tried on a charge of second-degree murder. It's alleged he killed 18-year-old Joedin Leger in Moncton on April 25, 2022. 

The Crown alleges Leger died during a home invasion and robbery involving Phillips and five others that morning. 

The jurors have heard testimony from 27 witnesses since being selected at the start of the trial on Sept. 23. Jurors were originally told the trial was expected to last about four weeks. 

The final testimony before the Crown closed its case came from Magalie Sephton, a criminal intelligence analyst with the RCMP. Sephton testified Monday but was recalled Wednesday so the Crown could introduce more evidence. 

Sephton testified about preparing a map with several locations around Logan Lane, the street where Leger lived and died, in Moncton's suburban north end. 

Holt then introduced a photo, shown to the jury, that Sephton testified came from a phone Leger used before his death.

The image was a screenshot of an Instagram post, from May 2021, that showed Phillips holding a gun.

It wasn't clear why the image was on the phone.

The image was introduced as the Crown presented information to the jury about Phillips's behaviour prior to the death of Leger.

Dysart cautioned jurors about how to use the information. The judge warned that the information isn't to be used to decide Phillips is the kind of person that deserves punishment, and their verdict must be based on the evidence around the events of April 25, 2022. 

After she completed her testimony and Holt said the Crown had closed its case, Dysart told jurors they would be excused for the remainder of the day so he and the lawyers could carry out a required step before the case can continue. What's discussed without the jury present cannot be reported yet. 

Jurors were asked to return to court Thursday morning.

The defence can choose to present evidence, though the jury hasn't been told whether the defence will do so.