Labossiere trial hears house payment paid for murder

Nephews ofa Manitoba man accused of killing his parents and brother, testified Tuesday at the murder trial howtheir uncle tried to buy out their shares of the family estate.

Denis Jerome Labossiere is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents Fernand Labossiere, 78, and Rita, 74, as well as his brother Remi, 44.

The trial for Labossiere and his co-accused, Michel Hince, began last week in Winnipeg.

The bodies of the three Labossiere family members were found in the basement of their farm house after a fire in November 2005. It was later determined that they had been shot.

Labossiere's nephew Sean Desrochers testified he had a conversation with his uncle a week after the murders.

Desrochers told the jury thatLabossiere became angry when he refused to sell his share in the farm inSaint Leon, Manitoba, located about 130 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.

Desrochers said he asked Labossiere, "Am I going to get a bullet in the head because I don't agree with it?" Desrochers said Labossiere's answer was "no comment."

The other nephew, Daniel Labossiere, told the jury that on the day of the three victims' funeral, his unclesaid, "Well, the parents were a surprise."

Danielalso testified he hada conversations about the murders with the Hince after a nightof drinking.Hince became emotional and started crying, Daniel said.

Hince then said, " I can't believe what I did on the farm. I want to kill myself," Daniel testified.

Daniel also asked Hince whatLabossiere paid tohave the murders committed. Daniel said heasked Hince if Labossierepaidcash for a down payment on a house in Winnipeg in exchange forthe killings.

Hince's response was "yes," Daniel said.