RCMP officers testify at Kevin Mantla trial

RCMP officers who were the first on the grisly scene of a deadly attackin Yellowknife testified in court Wednesday about what they saw.

It was the third day of the trial ofKevinMantla, who is accused of murdering Elvis Lafferty and injuring Lafferty's partner, who is also Mantla's ex-girlfriend.The couple was attacked at their Lanky Court apartment almost two and a half years ago.

Mantlais charged with second-degree murder, attempted murderand aggravated assault.

CBC is not identifying Lafferty's partner because she has children which could be further traumatized by coverage of the trial.

Officers said they were called to the scene after midnighton the morning of Sept. 28, 2015.

Const.Greg Fracassi described seeing the woman laying on her back in the front doorway. He said there was blood all around her, she washolding her chest and had severe cuts on her arm.

Her young son was watching television about two and a half meters away.

The officers said they found Lafferty laying face down and shirtless in a bedroom. They say theyhandcuffed him for safety reasons before realizing he was unconscious.

FracassisaidLafferty had stab wounds by his left armpit and right shoulder.

Lafferty was taken outside on a stretcher through the window because the hallway in the apartment was too narrow.

Officers located the woman's two other children, who were with Lafferty's parents in the neighbouring apartment.

Cpl. Sally MacKinnon testified that Lafferty's mother said she saw Kevin Mantla leaving the apartment with a long black butcher knife.

Both Lafferty and his partner were taken to Stanton Territorial Hospital where hewaspronounced dead.

The woman was transported to a hospital in Edmonton where she underwent surgeries to repair deep lacerations to her arm and received treatment forstab wounds inher abdomen.

The trial continues Thursday.