The controversy surrounding the so-called Deal With The Devil made with Karla Homolka for her testimony against Paul Bernardo could be the reason the man and woman charged with murdering Victoria Stafford will be tried separately, the man’s lawyer said Thursday.
Michael Rafferty, 28, was charged with first-degree murder last week and prosecutors have upgraded accessory charges against Terri-Lynne McClintic, 18, to first-degree murder.
The Crown indicated the two will be tried separately.
While Rafferty’s lawyer, Hal Mattson, made it clear outside court he had no direct knowledge of why the Crown decided to conduct separate trials, he said people could speculate there’s a deal in the works with McClintic.
“Usually (it’s) because they are talking to one or other of the counsel and they’ve got a different tack,” Mattson told reporters outside the court.
McClintic’s lawyer, Jeanine LeRoy, said she has not had any discussions with the Crown attorney to that end.
The two accused made brief court appearances Thursday via video link.
McClintic appeared dishevelled and at the end of her appearance said “thank you” in a hoarse voice.
Rafferty, sporting neatly trimmed facial hair, stood nearly motionless during his appearance, his hands clasped in front of him.
