Jury begins deliberations in Tori Stafford murder trial

McClintic is already serving a life sentence - will Rafferty be joining her?

A London, Ontario jury that has been sitting in the Michael Rafferty trial began its deliberations today.

Michael Rafferty, who pleaded not-guilty, was charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping of Tori Stafford, an 8-year-old Woodstock girl.

If found guilty of first-degree murder, Rafferty, 31, would face life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Judge Thomas Heeney instructed the jury today that they should review the facts of the case, and not let any feelings they have for the innocent child get in the way of a proper verdict. Earlier in the trial the jury was shown very graphic and disturbing autopsy photos of a beaten and half-naked Tori Stafford who was killed by a hammer.

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Tori Stafford murder trial wrap-up – Week 9

Rodney Stafford relieved the trial is almost over.

Closing arguments in Rafferty trial delayed until Monday

Earlier this week the defence in the Tori Stafford murder trial wrapped up its case, bringing a close to difficult and emotional testimony for the Stafford family.

There has not been such a disturbing and gut wrenching trial in recent Canadian history that has captured the public’s hearts and minds.

The crime was so violent, and the victim, 8-year-old Tori Stafford, was so innocent that it reminded parents around North America that no one is safe and that even in a quiet city such as Woodstock, Ontario anything can happen.

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Tori Stafford murder trial wrap-up – Week 8

Charity Spitzig was Michael Rafferty's escort.

Crown lawyers wrapped up their eight week case against accused killer Michael Rafferty this past week. However a big question is how did they go after the man who they think kidnapped, raped and killed 8-year-old Tori Stafford from Woodstock, Ontario?

The trial began on March 3, 2012 and the beginning of it was wrapped around a previous confession made by Rafferty’s former girlfriend, Terri-Lynn McClintic. While serving her life sentence for the murder of Stafford, she confessed to a counsellor that she had killed Stafford, not Rafferty. This statement contradicts what she told police upon arrest.

Despite the turn of events, the crown showed no hesitation when they walked into the courtroom for the start of what has been a long and disturbing trial.

For the past two months, they have presented numerous pieces of evidence such as photos, forensics and surveillance videos. However the big break came when the most important piece of evidence was brought forward; a gym bag found in Rafferty’s car with mixed DNA of him and Stafford.

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Tori Stafford murder trial wrap-up – Week 7

This week has been a somewhat quiet one regarding the trial of Michael Rafferty, the man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering 8-year-old- Tori Stafford.

However, one of the major headlines sweeping this case is about Rafferty’s previous relationships with women he met shortly on the dating website PlentyOfFish.com, after Stafford was abducted.

Charity Spitzig met Rafferty on the website, and had the impression that her and Rafferty were exclusive, and was hoping it would lead to marriage. Falling for the web of lies that Rafferty was spinning, Spitzig testified that she worked as an escort to make money for the couple and gave Rafferty over $16,000 dollars in the months before Stafford went missing.

On the day that Stafford went missing, Spitzig deposited $500 into Rafferty’s bank account. Shortly after Stafford was abducted, Spitzig deposited another $100 into Rafferty’s account, saying he needed it for gas money, which was most likely needed to drive to the location where he would hide Stafford’s body.

Spitzig was one of the many women that Rafferty met online prior to the abduction. He also met Elysia Haid, whom he had sex with the day after Stafford was murdered. Rafferty also spoke with three other women on the same day, and got in at least one argument with one of them because he was seeing so many women.

Despite Rafferty’s promiscuous stage before and after the abduction and murder of Stafford, Justice Thomas Heeney told the jury that this information should not directly affect their verdict, as it does not have much to do with the murder of Stafford.

His exact words to the jury were, “All of this may lead you to believe that Mr. Rafferty was a philandering cad or worse . . . Whatever you may think of Mr. Rafferty’s character, it has no relevance to whether he is guilty of the crimes he is charge with.”

The trial will return on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, but the jury will not return till the following day.

Tori Stafford murder trial wrap-up – Week 6

An aerial shot of the wooded area where Stafford's body was found near Mount Forest, ON.

As the trial continues against Michael Rafferty, the man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering 8-year-old Tori Stafford, more information is being revealed about what happened shortly after the murder.

However, the only one who can really say what happened is the accused himself; Michael Rafferty.

In the few days after news went out that Stafford went missing, Rafferty seemed “very interested in the case”, said Amanda Chambers, a woman who briefly dated Rafferty in 2009. She also said that he was always asking about it, and even said he was going to go out and search for the missing girl.

During the past week, many of Rafferty’s former girlfriends took the stand and told the court about their previous relationships with the accused killer. Chambers said she met Rafferty on the online dating site, Plenty of Fish. Chambers said that he seemed quite nice, and they got along really well.

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