Devin Morningstar murder trial hears of partying in triplex

A woman who lived in the triplex unit beside the one in which Baylee Wylie died testified Thursday there was partying in that unit for several days before Wylie died.

Ashley Katzel-Leblancwas testifying in the first-degree murder trial of Devin Morningstar.

Morningstar, 19, is one of three people charged with first-degree murder in the December death of Baylee Wylie, 18, of Moncton.

Wylie's body was found in a burned unit of a triplex on Sumac Street on the morning of Dec. 17.

Katzil-Leblanc said she heard male voices in the next-door unit between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the night of Dec. 16.

"They were talking about doing lines," said Katzil-Leblanc.

She said earlier in the dayshe saw two males from the middle unit outside the buildingand said they looked intoxicated.

"I could tell by their eyes."

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Under cross-examination,Katzil-Leblancstated "They were partying for three or four days before that," adding that she could hear them.

Katzil-Leblancsays she went to bed around 12:30 a.m. and was awakened later by her son screaming and the sound of the fire alarm.

She woke up her children and got them outside and said she saw smoke coming out of the bathroom of the middle unit of the building.

RCMPhave stated previously thatWyliedied aviolent death.

Cpl. PatrickGouldwas called as a witness before the noon break on Thursday and has photo booklets for the jury.

Justice JohnWalsh told thejury to "steel yourself for some of the things you will see" and said they will see "things you don't see in everyday life."

Two others, Tyler Noel and Marissa Shephard, have been charged with the same crime.

Noel's case is scheduled to begin Oct. 27, while Shephard is scheduled to be back in court on May 1 for a preliminary hearing.