Devin Morningstar's murder trial hears of yelling in apartment

The first Crown witness in the first-degree murder trial of Devin Morningstar testified she heard screaming and banging coming from a bedroom next door to her home at 98 Sumac St. in Moncton on Dec. 16, 2015.

Helen Mandytestified she heard what sounded like a man yelling, "You ratted to the police and stole from us."

Mandy said a panicked voice replied, "I wouldn't do that. I love you guys."

Morningstaris accused of killing Baylee Wylie, 18, in December2015, then setting fire to the Sumac Street triplex where the his body was found.

Mandy testified the noise continued at 10:30 p.m. and it was more aggressive.

Shesaid sheheard someone say "Stop yelling or I'll shove this down your throats."

That was followed by sounds of banging metal.

Mandy then called her sister who came over to her apartment with her boyfriend. They would later leave after the noise had calmed down.

Mandy testified she fell asleep at 1 a.m. The next thing she remembers was firefighters breaking down her door at 4 a.m. to remove her and her children from the building.

• Jury selected for Devin Morningstar's 1st-degree murder trial
• Devin Morningstar to stand trial in death of Baylee Wylie
• Devin Morningstar charged with murder, arson after Baylee Wylie's death

Morningstarhasbeen in custody since his arrest in December.

Two other people are also charged with the same murder.

Tyler Noel and Marissa Shephard both evaded the RCMPfor weeks, wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.

• Tyler Noel will stand trial in Baylee Wylie's death in fall 2017
• Marissa Shephard preliminary hearing set for May 2017

Noel, 19, was arrested near Elgin Jan. 9. He is also accusedof arson, and is scheduled toface those chargesin the Courtof Queen's Bench in Monctonfrom Oct. 24, 2017 to Jan. 26, 2018.

Shephard, 20, evaded police for 10 weeks before being arrested at a hotel in Moncton only a few kilometres from where the murder happened. She is scheduled to face apreliminary inquiry starting May 1, 2017.

Walsh told the jurorsWednesday they are the judges of the facts while he is the judge of the law. He also stressed discretionwas key in serving on a jury.

"What goes on in the jury room stays in the jury room, you take that to the grave withyou," said Walsh.

Morningstar's trial is expected to last five weeks.

• On mobile? Follow the live blog here