A former social worker says a transgender sex-trade worker slain in September 2004 had a lot of problems in the years before her death.
Barbara Dalman testified Wednesday at the second-degree murder trial of Theodore Herntier, who is accused in the death of David Joseph Boulanger, also known as Divas B.
Her body was found wrapped in plastic bags in a rest area off the Trans-Canada Highway near Portage la Prairie, Man.
Under cross-examination from Herntier's defence lawyer, Dalman testified the 28-year-old missed appointments, didn't show up to pick up some welfare cheques and was evicted from apartments.
She also had problems with drugs and alcohol and spent time in the provincial Remand Centre.
Justice Rick Saull pressed the defence twice on the relevance of the questioning but allowed it.
Court also heard from the man who found the body. Hans Nuessler said he was on a hunting trip with his brother in November of that year when they stopped at the rest area to go to the bathroom.
Nuessler testified he saw something black in the bushes that looked like garbage bags. When he went in for a closer look, it appeared to be two bags taped together concealing a body, so he went to police.
The prosecution has said DNA evidence will be key in the trial, saying DNA taken off the plastic bags and from a Wall Street business where Herntier worked will be used to try and prove he is the killer.
(CJOB)
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