Hay River murder suspect and victim had violent relationship
Benedict Corrigal had several run-ins with the law and victim since 2010
The man who faces two first-degree murder charges for the deaths of two people in Hay River, N.W.T., made his first court appearance Tuesday.
Benedict Corrigal is facing the charges in relation to the deaths of Garfield McPherson and Carol Buggins.
Court documents dating back to 2010 show that Corrigal had a violent relationship with Buggins.
The first time Corrigal was asked to not have contact with Buggins was in 2010. He was not to have contact with her if he had been drinking within the past 24 hours.
At that time, Corrigal pleaded guilty to committing assault against Buggins and served 30 days in jail.
Corrigal was convicted again about a year later on July 26, 2011. Buggins was named as the victim in that assault. Corrigal served five months in jail for that crime. His probation also set out that he was not to see Buggins at all and prohibited him from consuming alcohol.
As recently as April 5, 2012, Corrigal was convicted of assault on Buggins again. That time, he served a 37-day sentence. He did not serve any time in jail since he had already spent an equal or longer amount of time in jail waiting for his sentence.
Buggins’ family members say they are still recovering from the tragedy.
They are busy preparing for her funeral, but no date has yet been set for a service.
Corrigal is set to appear in court again on Aug. 7.