Preliminary hearing in Edmonton prostitute's death underway

The preliminary hearing began Monday for aconvicted killercharged with second-degree murder in the death of an Edmonton sex trade worker.

Joseph Laboucan, 24, is chargedin the death of Ellie May Meyer, 33.

Her body was found by a farmer working in a field in Strathcona County in 2005.

The preliminary hearing is expected to last four weeks.

The Crown is expected to call between 50 and 60 witnesses.

Evidence presented at the preliminary hearing is subject to a publication ban.

Laboucan, who is originally from Fort St. John, B.C., is serving a life sentence for the kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and first-degree murder of 13-year-old Nina Courtepatte.

Courtepatte was lured from West Edmonton Mall by a group of people in April 2005. Her beaten and bruised body was found on a golf course.

Laboucan and four others have been convicted in her death.