Folker had scratches on his body, jury hears

The trial for a Nova Scotia man accused of killing his girlfriend hit a snag again at Supreme Court in St. John's on Monday.

David Folker, 42, is on trial for the second-degree murder of Ann Marie Shirran in July 2010.

Justice Wayne Dymond told jurors on Monday afternoon that he would need to make a ruling on an issue that came up between the Crown and the defence before continuing with testimony from more witnesses.

Dymond said there were evidentiary issues in relation to photographs being entered as evidence.

He assured the jury that he told counsel he did not want any unnecessary delays in the trial. 

The trial, which began on Oct. 7, was delayed three times already — once because of issues with the jury and again when legal issues, that the jury was not privy to, arose.

RNC testimony

Jurors heard brief testimony from two officers with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on Monday morning.

Const. Ken Milks showed the court a diagram he created of the area where Shirran's remains were found in Cappayhayden on the Southern Shore.

Campers found the mother-of-one's skull and jaw bone on Sept. 2, 2010, nearly two months after Folker reported Shirran missing. 

Const. Ron Simms, who was with the RNC's forensic identification unit in 2010, described to the jury the scratches that were seen on Folker's body when he voluntarily went to RNC headquarters to get photographed on July 27, 2010.

Const. Simms testified that Folker had scratches on his arms and legs, as well as two, 1-2 cm scratches on his forehead.

The testimony is scheduled to continue on Tuesday at Supreme Court. 

Reporter Ariana Kelland filed updates from Supreme Court in St. John's.