Pliers link Briscoe to killings, Crown says

Michael Briscoe is an untrustworthy liar and should be convicted of a double homicide, Crown attorney John Watson told court in his closing arguments Thursday.

Briscoe is on trial for first-degree murder in the April 2005 slayings of Edmonton prostitute Ellie May Meyer and teenager Nina Courtepatte.

Briscoe spent days on the witness stand, denying involvement in the killings.

But he prosecutor argued Thursday the trial judge should disregard most of what Briscoe had to say. Watson described Briscoe's testimony as "replete with lies," pointing to inconsistencies in Briscoe's story.

Pliers linked

And for the first time, the prosecutor linked a common hand tool to both murders. He said pliers linked to Briscoe were used to remove Ellie May Meyer's finger after her death. Briscoe admits that two days later he gave a pair of pliers to one of Nina Courtepatte's killers at the murder scene. Briscoe's former girlfriend, Stephanie Bird, has testified that Briscoe and another man, Joseph Laboucan, were involved in beating Meyer.

Earlier in the trial, Briscoe's lawyer Charles Davison said Briscoe, 41, should be found not guilty. Davison said there was no forensic evidence linking Briscoe to Meyer's death, only testimony from Bird, whom he said is not believable.

Drove car

Briscoe admits he drove Nina Courtepatte, along with a group of young people, to a golf course one night seven years ago.

But the defence says Briscoe did not take part the sexual assault or slaying of the teen. Davison said Briscoe was trying to calm things down at the scene.

Laboucan was convicted in the Meyer and Courtepatte slayings. Bird was convicted of murder inCourtepattes death. Briscoe was previously found not guilty of murder inCourtepatte's death, but a new trial was ordered on appeal.