Thomas Ted Barrett murder trial judge allows video statement from dead witness

A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judgehas ruled a videotaped statement a witness madeto police will be allowed into evidence in the second-degree murder of Thomas Ted Barrett, even thoughthe witness is now dead.

The statement from Sheryl Flynnimplicates Barrett in the murder of 21-year-old Brett MacKinnon.Flynn told police Barrett confessed to her that he strangled MacKinnon, who was last seen in GlaceBay in 2006.

In her written decision, Justice RobinGogan saidthe ultimate worth of the evidence remains to be determined. Flynn spoke to police in 2012, and died less than a year later of a drug overdose.

Testimony at Barrett'strial in Sydney wrapped up Thursday morning.Crown and defence lawyerswill make closing arguments Friday.

On Thursday, a single witness was called to the stand.James Ryan Flynn is Sheryl Flynn's son.He testified that his mother got drugs from her boyfriend, Shawn Glazier.

Glazier, a witness for the defence, said Sheryl Flynn was not doing drugs when she was with him, and he didn't believe that she ever talked to Barrett about the MacKinnon murder.

In court on Wednesday,Barrett, 40,looked the worse for wear and appearedbattered and bruised. He hadabrasions all over his face, and his left ear wasred and swollen.

The Department of Justice confirms there was a minor altercation between several inmates at the Cape Breton Correctional Facility Tuesday evening, butthe names of those involved will not be released.

No significant injuries were reported.Cape Breton Regional Police are investigating.

CBC'sYvonne LeBlanc-Smithlivebloggedfrom court in Sydney.