By Taylor MacPherson

Self-defence suggested at Ermine murder trial

May 10, 2017 | 2:00 PM

Robyn Ermine may have been defending herself during the fight which led to the death of Evan Tylan Bear, according to her step-sister Shelinda Vallier.

Ermine, 30, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death, which occurred in 2015 at the home the couple shared on Muskoday First Nation. Her trial began Monday in Prince Albert.

During her testimony yesterday, Vallier said she was visiting Ermine and Bear for the weekend, and went to bed after a night of heavy drinking. When she got up for a drink, she said the couple was arguing in the kitchen. As she watched, the fight became physical and she said she saw Ermine grab something and swing it at Bear.

Under cross-examination this morning, defense lawyer Adam Masiowski pressed Vallier for details of the fight. Although Vallier could not recall what was said during the argument, she acknowledged Bear was significantly larger than Ermine and said Ermine may have been defending herself.

Paramedic Michael Dansereau estimated Bear’s weight at 110 kg (243 lbs).

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Vallier said Bear, who was already bleeding heavily from the neck, was able to throw Ermine to the floor, get on top of her and bang her head against the floor. Vallier said she could not recall how many times Bear hit her head on the linoleum, but Masiowski pointed to an earlier statement in which she said it happened “at least four or five” times.

During the fight, Vallier said she could not see what Bear was doing as his back was to her. When Masiowski suggested he may have had a hand on Ermine’s throat, Vallier said it was possible.

Masiowski also noted Ermine was the first to call 9-1-1, although yesterday Vallier said Ermine quickly passed the phone to her after placing the call and then left the residence before the ambulance arrived. Vallier also said Ermine had asked Bear to go stay at his mother’s residence multiple times during their altercation, and said the pair had argued intermittently throughout their time together.

Crown Prosecutor Jeff Lubyk asked Vallier if Bear might have also been defending himself, which she said was possible.

Lubyk said he expects the jury will hear testimony from several RCMP officers this afternoon. The forensic pathologist who performed Bear’s autopsy is scheduled to take the stand Thursday.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews