Accused killer denies role in Meyer and Courtepatte slayings

Accused murderer Michael Briscoe denies he killed prostitute Ellie May Meyer and claims he was scared for his own life duringthe murderof 13-year-old Nina Courtepatte.

Briscoe is testifying in his own defence at his double first-degree murder trial in Edmonton for thekillings ofMeyer, 33,and Courtepatte inApril 2005.

Moments into his testimony Tuesday morning, lawyer Charles Davison asked Briscoe if hehelped kill Meyer.

"No sir," Briscoe repliedsoftly, standing in blue prison coveralls with his arms folded.

Earlier in the trial, Briscoe's ex-girlfriend Stephanie Bird testified she saw Briscoe and another man, Joseph Laboucan,beating the prostitute in a farmer's field east of Edmonton.

Later in his testimony, Briscoesaid he met Nina Courtepatte"right before the murder." He described reluctantly drivinga number of young people, includingCourtepatte, to a golf course west of the city.

Briscoe said he didn't holdCourtepatte on the ground, claiming theonly time he touched her was to put a hand on her shoulder as he told her to calm down.

He told the court he started to walk away but went back towards the teen when he heard yelling and screaming.

"That's when the killing starts," he told the hushed courtroom.

Briscoe said he saw Laboucan and another member of the group,Michael Williams, hit the girl.

Briscoe told the judge he was in a panic at the time, afraid for his own life and safety. Afterwards, he considered contacting police but claimed that he didn't want to be "a rat."

Courtepatte's badly beaten body was found at the golf course the next day.

Briscoe will be cross-examined on Thursday.

Laboucan has already been convicted of first-degree murderand is serving a life sentence in the deaths of Meyer and Courtepatte. Williams was also sentenced to life in prison.