New trial ordered for man convicted of brutal sex slaying of Edmonton gir
EDMONTON — A new trial has been ordered for a man convicted in the brutal sex slaying of a 13-year-old Edmonton girl.
Joseph Laboucan was convicted in March 2007 of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual assault in the death of Nina Courtepatte.
But the Alberta Court of Appeal, in a 2-1 decision, has ruled that the trial judge was wrong to say that Laboucan was not a credible witness about what happened that night in April 2005.
Alberta Justice spokesman David Dear says the Crown is reviewing the judgment and may appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Laboucan is one of five people charged in the grisly case, in which Nina was raped and bludgeoned to death with a sledge hammer on a golf course.
Two underage girls were convicted in separate trials, one youth pleaded guilty and another man, Michael Briscoe, was acquitted.
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