Crown says man should be convicted of girl’s murder based on alleged confession
VANCOUVER — A man charged with murdering a 12-year-girl in British Columbia over 40 years ago should be found guilty after confessing to undercover police that he abducted, sexually assaulted and killed her, a Crown attorney says.
Mark Sheardown told jurors in his opening statement Monday that Garry Handlen also took RCMP undercover officers to the crime scene and provided details about snatching the girl while she was riding her new bike near Merritt, in the province’s Interior.
He said Handlen’s “truthful, reliable confession,” which the jury will watch on video, will demonstrate he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the death of Monica Jack on May 6, 1978.
Sheardown said Jack’s mother saw her riding her bike as the woman was heading home in her vehicle, a few days before the girl’s 13th birthday.