Michael Briscoe double murder trial begins

A first-degree murdertrial began Tuesday for an Edmontonman accused of killing a woman and a 13-year-old girl days apart.

Michael Briscoe is facing first-degree murder charges in the deaths of Nina Courtepatte andEllie May Meyer, 33.

Courtepatte's battered body was found on a golf course west of Edmonton in April 2005, while Meyer, a prostitute,was found in a field east of the city in May.

Briscoe showed no visible signs of emotion Tuesday as he watched a graphic video in court showing the scene where Meyer's body was discovered.

Police believe Meyer was killed two days before Courtepatte.

Briscoe was acquitted in Courtepatte's death after a trial in 2007, but the decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada, and a new trial was ordered.

"I want the justice done," said Courtepatte's mom, Peacha Atkinson. "I need that justice. Then I can close that little bit.

"But it will never be closed for me," she said. "It will be always open and a lot of pain."

Briscoe's lawyer,Charles Davison,wanted separate trials for the two murder cases, but the judge denied the application.

Briscoe's alleged accomplice,Joseph Laboucan,has already been found guilty of first-degree murder in both cases.

The trial is scheduled to last about six weeks.