Raymond Cormier won't testify at trial for murder of Tina Fontaine as defence rests case

Raymond Cormier won't testify at his trial for the murder of Tina Fontaine.

His defence team rested their case Thursday, tellingthe court they will not bring forward any of their own evidence.

The Crown wrapped up its case on Wednesday by playing audio recordings of RaymondCormiermade as part of an undercover police operation.

Cormier, 56,pleaded not guilty to second-degree murderin the August 2014 death of the 15-year-old girl from SagkeengFirst Nation.

Tina's 72-pound body was pulled from the Red River near the Alexander Docks in Winnipeg, wrapped in a duvet cover and weighted down with rocks, on Aug. 17, 2014. The cause of her death was never determined.

Cormier's trial began on Jan. 29.It isbeing heard byCourt of Queen's Bench Chief Justice GlennJoyaland a jury of seven women and four men. A12thjuror was excused from duty because of a family emergency.

The trial will now move to closing arguments on Tuesday of next week. Justice Joyalwill then give his instructions to the jury on either Wednesday or Thursday, and deliberations will begin immediately after.