File Photo

By Regan Tate, Eli J. Ridder

LATEST

Deborah Belyea murder trial gets underway at Medicine Hat court with emotional testimony from daughters

Jan 9, 2024 | 11:38 AM

A warning that some of the details in this story are disturbing

The trial of a Suffield woman accused of second-degree murder in the death of her husband got underway Tuesday at the Court of King’s Bench.

Deborah Belyea’s husband, former Cypress country councillor Alfred Belyea, was reported missing over the Thanksgiving long weekend in October 2021.

His body was found days later in a rural field near Piapot, Sask. His wife was arrested shortly thereafter.

Court heard heard Tuesday that he was stabbed to death, his arms were missing and his body was stuffed inside a container.

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

11h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

12h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

20h ago

The prosecution focused on a letter Deborah Belyea wrote to her adult children that included a map to where the body was found and other evidence expected to recieve more attention in court later in the nine-day trial.

The defense, through cross-examination of the witnesses, aimed to highlight Belyea’s failing health and lack of physical ability with the suggestion she would be unable to harm her husband.

The widowed Belyea arrived in the courtroom with a walker and suited up with an oxygen breathing device. Her hair was tied in a bun and she wore dark pants and a black and white patterned blouse.

She sat in the so-called prisoner’s dock and watched with muted expression as the first three witnesses part of the prosecution’s case took to the stand throughout Tuesday.

RCMP Const. Adam George was the first witness to take to the stand Tuesday morning.

George interviewed Deborah after she filed the missing persons report Oct. 11, 2021. He said Deborah was largely composed during the interview but did occasionally become emotional.

The next witness to testify was Jodi Wilson, one of Belyea’s three children. She described a close relationship with her father.

“My dad was my person,” she told the court.

“I looked up to him, I confided in him, I seeked his approval in everything I do.”

The health of the accused was a large focus of testimony.

Trina Belyea, the eldest of the three sister Belyea children, was the third and final witness Tuesday.

Trina confirmed to defense lawyer Katherine Beyak that her mother Deborah suffered a stroke in 2001 and her health was never the same.

Wilson told court her mother has been using an oxygen tank on and off since 2009.

According to the defense, Belyea struggled with the many stairs in Wilson’s home during a visit in August 2021.

That visit to British Columbia was the last time Wilson saw her father alive in-person.

The trial resumes at 9:30 on Wednesday inside the Court of King’s Bench.

Alf Belyea served six years with Cypress County. He had been acclaimed to serve another term in the upcoming municipal election at the time of his death.