By Kevin Martel

Man charged in death of Celeste Yawney back in court Monday

May 31, 2015 | 11:50 AM

The man accused of killing 33-year-old Celeste Yawney and leaving her two kids motherless is back in Regina Provincial Court again Monday afternoon on a charge of second degree murder.

Duran Redwood, 26, was arrested after Yawney’s body was found at a home on Ingersoll Crescent last week.

During his first court appearance Redwood was hesitant to come into a courtroom filled with Yawney’s sobbing friends. Redwood’s bottom lip quivered as he turned his back to the courtroom, unable to verbally answer the judge. Instead he could only nod yes.

“It’s just shocking, that’s all. I’m kind of all over the place. I’m shaking,” said Mike Taylor, Yawney’s next-door neighbour. “She’s generous, she’ll give the shirt off her back for anybody. Yeah, she would help out a lot.”

Friends said Yawney and Redwood had been in an on-again, off-again relationship, describing it as troubling and suggested domestic violence was not uncommon. Redwood had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting Yawney.

“We were really close until she was with Duran and I just couldn’t be around them with the lifestyle they decided to have,” continued Taylor.

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He remembered one night when Yawney came over to his house injured after being beaten. He took her in, along with her youngest son and proceeded to call 911. He explained after that incident he told Yawney he was there to help. However, that seemed to be the catalyst in the deterioration of their relationship. From then on Taylor said they would usually avoid each other.

“I know we had our differences but she did not deserve this,” he said.

Taylor spoke fondly of Yawney’s children. He remembers the first time he met her youngest boy at either three or four years of age. Taylor said the youngster came over, knocked on the front door, and let himself into the house. He sought out the fridge and found something to eat.

“I thought it was the cutest thing ever,” Taylor laughed.

His tears of laughter are now battling with tears of sorrow. His fiancée admitted after seeing the yellow police tape next door and learning of Yawney’s death, Taylor broke down in grief. Tears were also flowing from the eyes of Yawney’s close friends during Redwood’s first court appearance, in what is already proving to be a highly emotional case.

KMartel@rawlco.com
Follow on Twitter: @KevinMartel

by Kevin Martel

Man charged in death of Celeste Yawney back in court Monday

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