Judge allows choking evidence in Edmonton prostitute murder trial

Accusations that accused prostitute killer Thomas Svekla choked and threatened to kill women, as far back as the mid-1980s, can be used as evidence in his trial, the presiding judge ruled Thursday.

Svekla is charged with second-degree murder in the deaths of Theresa Innes, 36, in 2006 and Rachel Quinney, 19, in 2004. Both were prostitutes and involved with drugs.

Over the past several weeks his trial has heard from a procession of former girlfriends and other women who knew him.

They testified that while partying and using drugs with Svekla, he choked them. Some told the court he threatened to kill them.

The medical examiners were not able to establish a cause of death for either of the prostitutes Svekla is accused of killing, but they suggested it's possible both victims were choked.

Justice Sterling Sanderman Thursday decided to allow testimony from three women who told of being chokedby the accused.One of the women testified that Svekla attacked her in2005 in High Level, Alta., threatened to kill her, and dispose of her body where it would never be found.

But the judge dismissed evidence from several other of the witnesses, saying "it presented the accused as a callous abuser of women."

It deals with conduct that is not on trial, and is too prejudicial, ruled Sanderman.

The remains of Innes were found in May 2006 stuffed in a hockey bag discovered in a home in Fort Saskatchewan, just northeast of Edmonton.

The body of Quinney was found in a wooded area east of Sherwood Park, an Edmonton suburb, in June 2004.

The trial, which is being heard by judge alone, began in mid-February. Final arguments in the case could come as early as next week.