By Taylor MacPherson

Family hears 9-1-1 tapes on first day of murder trial

May 8, 2017 | 5:38 PM

A Prince Albert murder trial opened dramatically today as the 9-1-1 tapes played out the tearful struggle to save the life of Evan Tylan Bear.

Bear, 27, died of blood loss after he was stabbed at a Muskoday First Nation home Feb. 21, 2015. Robyn Laura Ermine, 30, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death. Her jury trial began this morning at Prince Albert’s Court of Queen’s Bench.

Crown prosecutor Jeff Lubyk said he expects to call at least 10 witnesses throughout the trial including police, EMTs, the forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy of Bear and one eyewitness — Ermine’s step-sister Shelinda Vallier. The Crown believes Ermine stabbed her then-boyfriend Bear in the neck with a kitchen knife, Lubyk said, after an argument between the two escalated into violence.

Before calling his first witness, Lubyk played for the jury the tapes of 9-1-1 calls made from the Muskoday residence Feb. 21.

On the tape, a female speaker identified herself as “Laura” and asked for an ambulance, but quickly a second female speaker who identified herself as “Shelinda” took over the call.

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“There’s blood everywhere,” the caller tearfully informed the operator before receiving instructions on how to apply pressure to the wound and perform chest compressions.

When the operator asked if “Laura” was still present to assist with first aid, the caller said she wasn’t, then told the operator “she left me all alone.”

As the call continued the caller became more and more hysterical while the operator attempted to keep her calm by counting off chest compressions. Eventually the caller appeared to lose control completely, and screamed Bear’s name in desperation.

“Come on! Don’t leave us Evan!” the caller shouted.

When asked by the operator whether the person who had stabbed Bear was still in the vicinity, the caller said she did not know who was responsible.

While the tapes were played sobbing was heard from Bear’s family members present in the courtroom and several stepped outside to avoid hearing the remainder of the recordings.

The Crown next called RCMP Sgt. Mark Goodwin, a forensic investigator of more than 11 years’ experience. Goodwin said he processed the crime scene at Muskoday and also visited Ermine in an RCMP cell where he recorded drops of blood found on her foot, ear and clothing.

Three weeks have been set aside for Ermine’s trial.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews

Editor’s Note: As the case remains before the courts, commenting is closed.