'I said to myself, just finish it': Gordon Milley admits killing Bernice Rich
CBC News | Posted: March 25, 2015 12:45 PM | Last Updated: March 25, 2015
Warning: Details of Gordon Milley's court case may be disturbing to some
A Labrador man has admitted to killing Bernice Rich by choking her before dragging her body into the woods in Sheshatshiu where it was later discovered.
For that crime, the Crown is asking that Gordon Milley serve a life sentence, with no chance of parole for 20 years.
Milley, 32, entered the guilty plea to a charge of second-degree murder at Supreme Court in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Wednesday morning.
He also pleaded guilty to a charge of public mischief, which relates to false statements Milley provided to the RCMP, accusing someone else of being involved in the crime.
The Crown is asking that Milley be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years.
At the time of Rich's murder, Milley, whose criminal history began at the age of 13, was on a court order to stay out Sheshatshiu.
The Crown cited his breaching of that order and his high likelihood to re-offend as reasons for the suggested sentence.
The defence has asked that Milley be eligible for parole after 14 years, adding that Milley grew up in a violent home with alcoholic parents.
Rich's body was discovered in a wooded area in the central Labrador community on June 14, 2013.
The court learned that Rich, Milley and two others, including Devon Gregoire, were drinking and walking around the community in the early morning hours of June 13 when the two men began fighting over Rich.
A witness said Milley dragged Rich, 21, away by the arm, and that Gregoire warned Rich not to leave with him.
Rich's body was found 10 feet off a major pathway behind a home in the community the next day.
Milley turned himself into police the day after Rich died and confessed to killing her.
Court shown video
Milley, who said he was high on cocaine at the time, admitted to choking Rich and dragging her into the woods.
He checked her pulse, Milley said, before putting all his weight on top of her before she died.
The gruesome details of the young woman's murder were heard in the courtroom as an RCMP video was played in which Milley re-enacted how he killed her.
"The whole thing lasted a couple of seconds," Milley told police.
In the video, Milley takes RCMP officers through the scene of the crime and apologizes for what he did.
At the time, he offered no explanation to police for the murder, other than that he "explodes inside for no reason."
"I said to myself, just finish it. It's too late now. If she gets up, you'll go to jail. Just do it. So I did it," Milley told police.
He later told his sister and uncle what he had done. His sister pushed him to turn himself in to police.
"I took her life away for nothing. I should have stopped and do CPR but it's too late."
'Who would do such a thing?'
Four victim impact statements were entered into court Wednesday, from Rich's two cousins, sister and aunt.
Theresa Michelin said she was stunned by the death of her niece.
"Who would do such a thing? I was very sad — and still sad today," she said.
Milley stood up Wednesday afternoon and apologized to the Rich family and his family.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," Milley said.
Prior to Rich's death, Milley had a total of 71 criminal convictions dating back to 2001.
He was originally charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault, public mischief, and breach of recognizance.
The Crown withdrew four charges.
The judge will render his decision on sentencing May 6.