Raymond Stacey charged with 2nd-degree murder of Clifford Comerford
Warning: Video contains strong language that may offend some
A St. John's man was stabbed to death allegedly by his co-worker on Sunday evening, inside a minivan that was transporting them both to work.
Raymond Stacey, 23, appeared in St. John's provincial court Monday where he was charged with second-degree murder in relation to the death of Clifford Comerford.
Shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday, paramedics and police were called to Greenwood Crescent off Topsail Road across from the former Sobey's Square shopping mall.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary later confirmed that a man had died, but did not elaborate at the time.
Members of Comerford's family confirmed that Clifford Comerford, 41, died Sunday night at the Health Sciences Centre after being stabbed.
Was heading to work
Prior to the accused's court appearance, Comerford's sister Mary Winsor told reporters her brother was on his way to report for the night shift at the barn where chickens are raised for Country Ribbon when he was assaulted.
"My brother was picked up for work by the company van, which goes around to pick up all the coworkers for the chicken farm at 8:30 yesterday evening," Winsor said.
The stabbing happened inside the minivan.
Winsor said he was rushed to the Health Sciences Centre in St. John's. He was pronounced dead an hour later.
Comerford's brother, Trent Comerford, told CBC News early Monday that relatives were called to the hospital. When they arrived shortly after 10 p.m., they were told that Clifford Comerford had died.
"The doctor and the priest and the RNC came in and told us what happened, and told us that he was deceased," Trent Comerford said.
"We just know he was stabbed, we don't know how many times. I don't know. They won't tell us anything."
The killing has left the family questioning why anyone would hurt a man whom they described as quiet and harmless.
"My brother Cliff was just as quiet as could be, he was kindhearted, he wouldn't hurt so much as a flea," Winsor said.
"He was brutally, brutally assaulted and stabbed several times, and where we are even unable to see the body — it's that bad."
According to the RNC, there were witnesses to the attack.
She said her mother, who has Parkinson's, and her father, who is recovered from a stroke, are devastated by the loss of their son.
Winsor said her brother enjoyed time with his cat and dog and was in constant contact with his family.
He worked with the company contracted by Country Ribbon for 13-and-a-half years.
'I'm not going to let my brother go this way'
"I can't sleep, so I'm just here this morning," he said.
"He was my brother. It's a hard way to look at it, but I had to come see where he got killed."
His brother was the eldest of six siblings.
"I'm not going to let my brother go this way. Somebody got to be held liable for the actions they took last night, and took the life of my brother, an uncle, a brother," Trent Comerford said.
"At least now people will have a name behind the stabbing victim of last night's incident."
Criminal record
The police located Raymond Stacey at his house about an hour after the alleged murder.
Stacey, who is accused of killing Comerford, has a 2-page criminal record, including convictions for theft and possessing a weapon.
He is listed in court documents as living in St. John's.
Stacey, who has no serious violent offences on his criminal record, worked with Comerford for a company that was contracted by Country Ribbon.
Threats and curses were sent back and forth during Stacey's court appearance between family members and Stacey, with one person calling him a coward.
Stacey was sent for an overnight psychiatric assessment.
He is expected back in court on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, RNC offiers are searching the area where emergency personnel responded to the call the night before, presumably to look for the weapon, which has not yet been recovered.
WIth files from Cecil Haire & Glenn Payette