Video shows crying accused writing out confession

A man on trial in the death of a 13-year-old girl tearfully wrote out a confession during a police interview, a video recordingplayed in court reveals.

In the video, shown Wednesday and Thursday,Joseph Laboucan is shownwriting the confession, which a sergeant later reads out loud.

"This is Joseph Wesley Laboucan writing the full and total confession to being there and taking part in the murder of Nina on last Saturday night," says the officer.

"I would like to be on the record that it was not my idea and I did not finish it, nor did I rape her. I was out there, though, and participated."

Michael Briscoe, 36, and Laboucan, 21, have been charged in the kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and first-degree murder of Nina Courtepatte, whom they allegedly picked out of a crowd at West Edmonton Mall.

Her bruised and bloody body was found on the Edmonton Springs Golf Course in April 2005.

Three youths have also been charged in her death, with one male pleading guilty and two teenage girls having yet to go to trial.

Defence says charter rights breached

A hearing is being held during the month-longjudge-only trial to determine whether statements Laboucan made in police custody can be used as evidence for the prosecution. Laboucan's defence team is arguing that his charter rights were breached and the statementsshouldn't be allowed.

In the video, Sgt. Dennis Travenut tries to convince Laboucan to change his story from a tale he had already told police in an earlier videotaped interviewabout witnessing a prostitute's murder.

By the time the second interview was recorded, a week and a half had passed since Courtepatte's body was discovered and officers had gathered more evidence.

"Do I look like somebody that kills somebody?" Laboucan says.

"Yes," Travenut replies.

Travenut at one point shows Laboucan pictures of Courtepatte before and after the killing. Laboucan turns away, and eventually explodes in anger, saying she was a friend and he wouldn't hurt her.

"I'm done. I'm not talking. I'm done," he says.

But after Laboucan is told a femalefriend of his has offered support and sent him a Bible, Laboucan's demeanor changes and he tearfully writes out the confession.

Later, he tells the officer that Briscoehit Courtepattewith a sledgehammerandtold others "that's how it's done."

Briscoe wanted to killa friend of Courtepattewho had witnessed part of the attack,while two teenage girls alsochargedin the killingwanted to find another person to kill later that night, said Laboucan.

While watching the recording in court,Laboucan appeared unemotional, at times looking down to take notes.