Mark Twitchell's ex-wife took the stand Monday morning, as the St. Albert man's trial on charges of first-degree murder continued into its second week.
Jess Twitchell, who married the accused in January 2007 and finalized a divorce with him in December 2010, testified they had a rocky relationship that was in serious trouble when Twitchell was arrested in 2008.
The couple met in 2005 through the online dating website Plentyoffish.com and after marrying had a daughter in January 2008 They moved to St. Albert on Aug. 1 of that year.
Marital troubles saw the couple living largely apart, sleeping in separate bedrooms and not seeing much of one another.
“We were living pretty separate lives,” Jess told the court.
Crown prosecutor Avril Inglis led the woman through pictures of the couple's former home, including pictures of swords, books and other items police have already testified they found in the home. Jess appeared to have difficulty viewing the items and was tense and emotional on the stand.
When Inglis showed a picture of the front of the couple's home she burst into tears and had trouble keeping her composure.
Jess testified she has not seen her ex-husband since Oct. 21, 2008 when police arrived at their home and told her what they suspected he had done.
“The police came to our house and said that they thought Mark had killed someone, had murdered someone.”
After that answer, Inglis asked Jess to limit her answers and not tell the court what other people had told her.
She clarified that police had came to their home, asked her a few questions and then obtained a search warrant. She grabbed a few items and then left the house to stay with a family member.
Inglis also drew Jess’ attention to a family calendar seized from the couple's home. She testified that around the time of the murder Twitchell was supposed to be attending psychiatric counselling on Fridays.
Those days are when police allege Twitchell attacked Johnny Brian Altinger, the alleged victim in the case.
