Murder inquest hears chilling videotape
CBC News | Posted: April 2, 1999 11:39 PM | Last Updated: November 14, 1998
A coroner's inquest opened Monday in Toronto and will look at the problem of domestic violence in Ontario. The jury heard some unusual evidence, a familiar story of years of abuse and intimidation. The testimony came from a murder victim on videotape.
A police videotape of 39-year-old Arlene May of the Collingwood area was played at the inquest examining the deaths of May and Randy Iles in a murder-suicide.
May told police "I thought he was going to kill me" during her statement to police on November 28th, 1995.
On March 8th, 1996, the mother of five was shot dead in her home by Iles, who then killed himself.
On the tape, May spoke of the cycle of abuse, the stalkings and repeated ambushes outside her driveway by Iles.
She also talked about the "I love you's" and red roses left on the hood of her car. Every year, about 60 women are killed in Ontario by their male partners.