Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 28/05) - A jury heard testimony from three RCMP officers Monday in the first day of the trial of a man accused of the second degree murder of a man at a cabin on Highway 3.

A rifle, a hunting knife and a video showing David Austin dead on the floor of the kitchen of a home about 30 km outside of Yellowknife, were also shown to the jury.

The accused, Timothee Caisse, sat next to his lawyer, Kelly Payne throughout the court proceedings, wearing a dark suit and running shoes.

Caisse was arrested and charged with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm after police discovered Austin's body on April 16, 2004.

In his opening statement Crown prosecutor Steven Hinkley told the jury of three men and nine woman that he would focus on why Austin had been shot at the home of Caisse.

He promised to bring the step-son of Caisse, who was there the night of the shooting, to the stand. The trial is expected to last until Friday.