Calgary trial begins for man accused of killing his girlfriend nearly 20 years ago – Calgary | The Canadian News

The second-degree murder trial of a man accused of killing his girlfriend nearly 20 years ago began in Calgary on Monday.

Stephane Parent, 52, has pleaded not guilty to the 2002 Valentine’s Day murder of his on-and-off girlfriend, Adrienne McColl, 21.

McColl’s body was found in a ditch in a farmer’s field near Nanton on February 17, 2002.

It wasn’t until 16 years after her death that Parent was arrested and charged.

Crown prosecutor Shane Parker said McColl was strangled and suffered a skull fracture from multiple blows to the head.

The court heard the first two witnesses from the trial: Shandi Bard, McColl’s best friend since the seventh grade, and a Parent and McColl’s co-worker at Studio 82, a bar where they worked.

Bard said McColl was witty, inclusive, friendly and soft-spoken.

Remember that McColl had a miscarriage and stillbirth with Parent and how toward the end of McColl’s life, Parent lived in his car.

The mother did not return to Calgary for her funeral, Bard said.

The co-worker recalled a fight one night at the bar when McColl asked him to call 911 after Parent allegedly strangled her during a fight. The coworker said the two often quarreled.

Thirty-five witnesses will testify during the three-week trial, according to the Crown.