A Red Deer court is hearing from witnesses in the murder trial for a man accused of blowing up his former client at her home over three years ago.
Brain Malley is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Victoria Shachtay in November 2011.
The 23-year old single mother died instantly when a parcel that looked like a Christmas gift exploded after it was delivered to her Innisfail home.
Court heard from two of the Shachtay's neighbours who said they heard a blast and then found her dead in her wheelchair.
A car crash left Shachtay a quadriplegic and she won a settlement for $575,000, which she asked Malley to invest for her.
The Crown says it plans to submit evidence to show that Malley lost all of Shachtay's money and that he was going into debt by giving her money out of his own pocket.
The RCMP's lead forensic investigator also took the stand and photos of weapons, ammunition, gunpowder, light switches and light bulbs were shown. The Crown alleges Malley bought the items to make the explosive.
Defence attorney Bob Aloneissi has said evidence will show some of Shachtay’s relatives had addiction problems and the real killer was someone who wanted to send a message to her or her family.
Shachtay’s caregiver was home at the time of the blast but was not injured.
On Wednesday, Marlene Punongbayan took the stand and said that the victim's stepdad warned Shachtay not to open the package because they didn't know where it came from.
Punongbayan told the court that the family had no enemies and that they got along well.
The trial continues on Thursday and is expected to last six weeks
(With files from The Canadian Press)
