Double murder trial hears from deceased witness

Jurors in a double murder trial heard testimony Monday from a deceased witness.

Edward Anderson was a tow truck driver in 2008 and gave police a statement in connection with the double homicide of Joel Labossiere, 34, and his wife, Magdalena, 33.

Anderson later was killed in an auto crash and the Crown received permission to show his videotaped statement to jurors.

Kelly Clarke, 41, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the April 20, 2008 killing of the Labossieres.

Anderson'svideotaped statement was shown to jurors Monday.

Anderson told police he was sent to help a driver in distress on a dirt roadnear Highway 59 in April 2008.

While he was looking for the distresseddriver he came across another car parked on the road. Two men jumped out of the car and ran into the dark. Then the car burst into flames.

Anderson asked his dispatcher to alert police and fire department. He was unable to describe the two figures who jumped from the car. The fire department arrived 45 minutes later and Anderson was told to take thewreck to an insurance compound. As he was leaving the scene he was told to wait for the RCMP. They arrived, took his statement, and he eventually left.

The Crown said earlier that it plans to call witness Steven Soloman who is expected to testify that he and Clarke drove a stolen vehicle to the home of Joel and Magdalena Labossiere and that they later disposed of the stolen car by setting it on fire.

The trial continues.