8 Year Old Victoria “Tori” Stafford Missing Since 4/8/09 in Ontario, Canada

[Northern Rose]

Jury selection in Tori Stafford trial begins

Nearly three years have passed since the frantic search for a missing 8-year-old girl ended in murder charges and the discovery of her remains in a patch of Southwestern Ontario woodland.

Now, in downtown London, jury selection begins Monday in the trial of the second person accused in her killing.

A young woman is already serving life imprisonment in the death of Victoria (Tori) Stafford, and will be the key witness at the trial of her former partner, Michael Thomas Rafferty.

A self-described contractor at the time of his arrest, Mr. Rafferty, 31, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, sexual assault and kidnapping.

The trial before Mr. Justice Thomas Heeney of Ontario Superior Court is expected to last at least two months, and much of the evidence is likely to be horrifying.

Heading the prosecution team is Woodstock Crown attorney Brian Crockett, while Mr. Rafferty’s defence is led by Toronto lawyer Dirk Derstine.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/jury-selection-in-tori-stafford-trial-begins/article2350522/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2350522

[Northern Rose]

The main players in the Tori Stafford murder case: Where are they now?

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/1135756--the-main-players-in-the-tori-stafford-murder-case-where-are-they-now?bn=1

[Northern Rose]

Accused murderer won't sit with lawyers


A man charged in the murder of eight-year-old Victoria "Tori" Stafford will sit in the prisoner's dock during his criminal trial, an Ontario judge has ruled.

Defence lawyers for Michael Rafferty had wanted their client to sit at the defence counsels' table during the upcoming two-and-a-half month long trial.

But Ontario Justice Thomas Heeney rejected the proposal in a decision released Friday, ruling this special request could not be granted due to the "high level of security" required during the trial

 ::snipping2::

http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Accused+murderer+with+lawyers/6173739/story.html

[Northern Rose]

Jury selection begins in Tori Stafford murder trial

LONDON, Ont. - Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of an Ontario man accused in the murder of eight-year-old Victoria "Tori" Stafford.  But the lawyer for Michael Rafferty has urged the public to not "rush to judgment" until there is a verdict.

"All parties in this case want a fair trial according to the evidence heard," Toronto defence lawyer Dirk Derstine said in an email. "People may think they know the evidence but they do not."

Rafferty, 31, is charged with sexual assault causing bodily harm, kidnapping and first-degree murder in death of the Grade 3 student. He intends to plead not guilty to all charges.

Even though Rafferty has been in prison for nearly two years awaiting trial, Derstine says he remains concerned the continuing media coverage of the case will lead to people making up their minds on his client's guilt before the proceedings even get underway.

Last month, a London, Ont., court heard weeks of pre-trial motions in the case, ranging from rules for the media who will follow the trial, to where Rafferty should sit during the trial. The judge ruled Rafferty shall remain in the prisoner's box. As well, it was decided the jury will visit the scene where the little girl's remains were found.

The content of the other motions are under an automatic publication ban until the end of the trial, which is expected to conclude in May.

Opening statements in the high-profile trial are expected to begin March 5, following a week of jury selection from a pool of more than 1,000 people.

The case, which will be heard by Ontario Justice Thomas Heeney, will be held in the courtroom that was built for the 2009 Bandidos biker gang multiple murder trial. A number of police officers will be inside and outside the courtroom at all times for security purposes. Everyone attending the proceedings will be subject to two metal detector searches

 ::snipping2::

http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=6214807

[Northern Rose]

Jury pool whittled down in Rafferty trial

LONDON, ONT. - Jury selection in Michael Thomas Rafferty's first-degree murder trial began Monday with a pool of 119 narrowed to 34 by the lunch break.

Those 34 will return Wednesday for further screening.

Another group of potential jurors will be screened Monday afternoon with the process to repeat itself Tuesday.

No family members were present Monday.

Rafferty, who watched Monday's parade of potential jurors with little expression, is charged with the murder, sexual assault and kidnapping of eight-year-old Victoria 'Tori' Stafford in April 2009.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/02/27/jury-pool-whittled-down-in-rafferty-trial

[Northern Rose]

Jury selection underway for Stafford murder trial


LONDON, Ont. — Jury selection in the high-profile murder trial of eight-year-old Victoria (Tori) Stafford began Monday with 34 potential jurors asked to return later this week.

The process, which was expected to last at least a week, was set to screen as many as 300 people for jury duty by the end of the day.

The accused, Michael Rafferty, sat quietly throughout the proceedings in the prisoner's box, dressed in a grey suit and a purple tie as jurors were brought into the courtroom to be questioned by the judge.

 ::snipping2::

Of 119 potential jurors seen Monday morning, Ontario Justice Thomas Heeney excused all expect 34. The most common reasons for excusal were previous vacation commitments, medical problems and undue financial hardship.

All jurors were also asked whether they would be able to serve on the 12-person jury until at least June, if unexpected delays arise.

Outside the courthouse, Rafferty's lawyer, Dirk Derstine says the upcoming evidence in the case may be a surprise to the public.

"I expect that the evidence to be called will be different than what everybody is perhaps expecting," he told reporters.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Jury+selection+underway+Stafford+murder+trial/6216294/story.html

[Northern Rose]

LONDON, ONT.—One after another, dozens of men and women went before Justice Thomas Heeney of Ontario Superior Court on Monday and answered two questions.

“Do you know anyone involved in the case?”

“Will there be any hardship if you are sitting on a jury till June?”

More than 60 said no to both and were asked to return on Wednesday for the next stage of jury selection.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1137731--jury-selection-starts-in-tori-stafford-murder-trial?bn=1

[Northern Rose]

Jury pool narrowed in Tori Stafford murder trial

LONDON - One person is running a marathon; another is running for political office.

Some women are expecting babies and one couple is hoping to adopt a child. Several said they had young children already and couldn’t handle the emotional stress of a trial involving the death of an eight-year-old girl.

About 150 people were excused Monday from jury duty in the first-degree murder trial of Michael Thomas Rafferty in London for a variety of reasons.

The most unusual reason may have come from one woman who said police interviewed her while searching for a female suspect in the April 8, 2009, abduction of Victoria (Tori) Stafford.

But most sought an exemption for financial, health reasons, or, given the time of year, a March Break vacation.

At the end of the first day, 63 people out of a pool of 224 had passed the first stage of screening. A second set of potential jurors is to face an initial screening Tuesday.

Those two groups will then face a second screening later this week, and will be asked if they have been affected by pre-trial publicity in the case.

If all goes smoothly, Rafferty’s trial will begin March 5. He’s charged with the murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping of Tori Stafford, who was abducted while walking home from school in Woodstock, Ont.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2012/02/27/jury-pool-narrowed-in-tori-stafford-murder-trial

[Northern Rose]

Tori Stafford jury pool down to 90

Ninety potential jurors in London, Ont., have been asked to return Wednesday for the next stage of jury selection in the trial of a man accused of killing an eight-year-old girl.

Michael Rafferty, 31, is charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping in the death of Victoria Stafford.

Tori disappeared while on her way home from school in nearby Woodstock on April 8, 2009, and her body was found three months later.

Terri-Lynne McClintic, now 21, has already been convicted of first-degree murder in the girl's death.

Jury selection began Monday at the London courthouse.

More than 200 potential jurors excused
So far 338 have been called before Superior Court Judge Thomas Heeney and all but 90 have been excused for various reasons

 ::snipping2::

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/28/toronto-victoria-stafford-jury-trial.html

[Northern Rose]

Judge addresses potential jurors at Tori Stafford murder trial

LONDON, Ont. — Lawyers in the high-profile first-degree murder trial of Michael Rafferty, accused in the 2009 slaying of young Victoria (Tori) Stafford, will hand-pick a 12-person jury from a pool of more than 100 eligible candidates.

A group of 116 people from London and surrounding area was chosen out of 447 potential candidates, following two days of jury screening that began Monday.

 ::snipping2::

As the day went on, Heeney personally questioned each potential juror one by one.

He asked them whether sitting for the trial would cause them emotional, physical or financial hardship, if they knew anyone involved in the case and if they were willing to make the time commitment.

The majority of the group were excused for prior vacation commitments, financial reasons and health problems.

Three women were dismissed for consideration because they were police employees. Two others told Heeney they were molested as children and couldn't be impartial during the trial.

One woman said she knew Stafford's mother, Tara McDonald.

Another woman expressed concern about the emotional toll the case might take because she was personally connected to another high-profile case. The woman was related to Jessica Lloyd, a young woman who was sexually assaulted and murdered by former colonel Russell Williams in Ontario in 2010.

One man told the court he had played basketball 15 years ago with one of the Crown attorneys on the case, and was also quickly excused.

Another man told the judge he couldn't serve on the jury because he had 300 animals to care for.

A number of those questioned told the judge they had young children and that it coloured their judgment.

"I don't know if I can go through this whole process and not feel this man is vicious," a woman with four young grandchildren told Heeney.

Chosen jurors will be paid $40 each day for the first 25 days and then $100 each day thereafter. The rate was increased due to the longevity and nature of the trial.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.canada.com/news/Judge+addresses+potential+jurors+Tori+Stafford+murder+trial/6223864/story.html

[Northern Rose]

Lawyers to begin screening potential jurors in Tori Stafford murder trial

LONDON - Lawyers for the Crown and defence will begin screening potential jurors for the first-degree murder trial of Michael Thomas Rafferty, 31, in London Wednesday.

Two days of screening this week by Superior Court Justice Thomas Heeney reduced a pool of 447 people to 116. Most of those excused for jury duty cited work commitments, medical conditions or loss of income as challenges to sitting for a trial that is expected to last from two to three months.

Two more days have been set aside this week to pick the jury, with lawyers able to ask potential jurors if they are affected by the pre-trial publicity in the case.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2012/02/28/lawyers-to-begin-screening-potential-jurors-in-tori-stafford-murder-trial

[Northern Rose]

Tori Stafford murder trial: 7 jurors selected

LONDON, Ont. — Seven people — five women and two men — were selected Wednesday to serve in the upcoming trial of an Ontario man accused of killing eight-year-old Victoria (Tori) Stafford in 2009.

A total of 12 jurors eventually will be selected to hear the high-profile case, which was expected to begin next Monday with the Crown's opening statement. Two others also will be chosen as alternates.

 ::snipping2::

Dressed in a grey, three-piece suit with a blue-striped tie, Rafferty replied, "Yes" in a strong, clear voice when asked by the court clerk if he was ready for his trial to begin.

 ::snipping2::

The seven jurors so far include a small-business owner, an industrial salesperson, an audiology technician, a consultant, a teacher, a cashier and a resolutions specialist.

After the group was sworn in, Ontario Justice Thomas Heeney reminded the men and women they are now banned from accessing any media stories about these proceedings.

"Welcome to the jury," he added.

The seven were agreed upon from a group of 48 potential jurors questioned by lawyers Wednesday.

Both Crown and defence lawyers had to reach a consensus on a juror for he or she to be accepted.

Each has 22 challenges to exclude potential jurors if they feel they may be biased or unable to fairly judge the evidence in the trial.

By the end of the day, Rafferty's lawyers had used 11 of those challenges, while the Crown had used six.

Jury selection will continue Thursday, with a remaining pool of 68 candidates.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.canada.com/news/Three+jurors+chosen+Tori+Stafford+murder+case/6228111/story.html

[Northern Rose]

Jury Selection in Rafferty Trial Almost Complete

Jury selection in the Michael Rafferty murder trial is expected to wrap on Thursday.

 ::snipping2::

The object is to find jurors who's abilities to judge the facts won't be prejudiced by the intense media coverage the Tori Stafford case has received both past and present.

That in itself has been a tough task even with the trial being moved to London, Ontario. The ties between London and Woodstock are fairly tight, which is why some wonder just how unbiased a jury could be?

Michael Rafferty's lawyer, Dirk Derstine isn't advocating it, but he points to the American system where lawyers can ask more and more intrusive questions of the jury panel.

Lawyers aren't always allowed to question jurors here but In this case and with the heavy publicity, the judge decided it was warranted

http://www.newstalk1010.com/News/localnews/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10354420

[Northern Rose]

Rafferty pleads not guilty to murder, abduction and sexual assault

LONDON - Three times, by his full name, Michael Thomas Christopher Stephen Rafferty was asked how he pleaded to the charges involving one Victoria Elizabeth Stafford on or about April 8, 2009.

To first degree murder. To kidnapping. To sexual assault causing bodily harm.

Three times Rafferty, 31, answered in the same soft yet clear and firm voice.

"Not guilty." "Not guilty." "Not guilty."

Asked to confirm those three pleas, he replied with the same even tone: "That is correct."

The formal reading of charges and Rafferty's pleas, the first time spoken in front of potential jurors, began a day of court proceedings Wednesday that will dramatically change the lives of five women and two men for the next few months.

 ::snipping2::

Each potential juror had to pass through an usual process Wednesday called challenge for cause. Each was asked a few questions to determine if pre-trial publicity had affected them.

Depending on their answers, they were deemed unacceptable to serve, or acceptable to move to the next stage.

If accepted, each juror had to stand and look at Rafferty, and he at them. Crown attorney Kevin Gowdey and Rafferty's lawyer Dirk Derstine were then allowed to reject the suitability of each juror without offering a reason why. They were not allowed to ask potential jurors any more questions.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2012/02/29/rafferty-pleads-not-guilty-to-murder-abduction-and-sexual-assault

[Northern Rose]

Rafferty trial: Cross-examination reveals McClintic's violent past


LONDON, Ont. – As the trial of Michael Rafferty, accused of killing 8-year-old Tori Stafford, resumes in London, Terri-Lynne McClintic’s violent past was revealed by the defence lawyer’s cross-examination.

Michael Rafferty is currently on trial for the kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of Tori Stafford – a Grade 3 student who was abducted from outside of her Woodstock school in April 2009 by Terri-Lynne McClintic.

Defence lawyer Dirk Derstine brought forth several letters written by McClintic during her time in custody after she had pleaded guilty to a stabbing in 2007.

Written just over a year before McClintic pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Tori Stafford, the letters shown to court on Wednesday paint McClintic as a bully in jail – to which McClintic admitted - pressuring others to give her their prescription drugs.

The letters also carry a very foreboding line as McClintic had written “Murderous B-----s” on each, something Derstine suggested was how she described herself and a friend while in custody.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.globaltoronto.com/rafferty+trial+cross-examination+reveals+mcclintics+violent+past/6442604869/story.html

[Northern Rose]

McClintic wrote of desire to torture in 2008 letters, Stafford trial told

More than a year before she took eight-year-old Victoria (Tori) Stafford from a Woodstock, Ont., school, Terri-Lynne McClintic wrote that she wanted to kidnap someone from the side of the road and, in graphic detail, described how she would torture her victim before smashing their skull.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/tori-stafford-trial-watches-2009-police-interview-with-mcclintic/article2376606/?from=sec431

[Northern Rose]

Jury sees McClintic interview in which she says Rafferty killed Tori Stafford

LONDON, Ont. - A police video showing a tearful Terri-Lynne McClintic saying she stood watching, frozen as her boyfriend sexually assaulted and killed eight-year-old Victoria Stafford was shown Wednesday to a jury that's been told it can now treat it as evidence.

WARNING: Graphic details from this court case may disturb some readers.

The videotaped interview from May 24, 2009 — days after she and boyfriend Michael Rafferty were charged in the death of the Grade 3 student — provides a very different account of who killed Tori from McClintic's testimony in court.

In the interview she says Rafferty raped Tori repeatedly then killed her by hitting her in the head several times with a hammer.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.570news.com/news/national/article/343083--jury-sees-mcclintic-interview-in-which-she-says-rafferty-killed-tori-stafford

[Northern Rose]

Tori Stafford's parents show solidarity with slain girl

Tori Stafford’s mother and father, like the parents of other slain children, sit through all the criminal proceedings, willing themselves to hear the details of their daughter’s last hours, no matter how horrific or painful the evidence.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/03/16/tori-stafford-tim-danson.html

[Northern Rose]

Tori's pleas for help ignored

Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic content.

Sobbing and barely coherent at times, Terri-Lynne McClintic told police how she watched and heard in frozen horror her boyfriend rape, kick, then kill eight-year-old Victoria (Tori) Stafford.

“I saw her with him. She just called out to me. I wanted to try to walk towards her. I could only take a couple steps in her direction,” McClintic, shown at right, told OPP Det. Sgt. Jim Smyth on May 24, 2009.

“Then I walked off . . . I could hear Tori, saying ‘T, T, (Tori’s name for McClintic) don’t let him . . . make him stop, make him stop.’ ”

She told police then she could hear Tori moaning. She heard the rustle of garbage bags.

She turned and saw Tori on the ground, her head covered with a garbage bag.

“He knew what he was doing . . . ” she said, in a shocked voice.

She saw her boyfriend, Michael Rafferty, kick Tori.

Tori was kicked “more than once.”

She saw Tori on the ground in a fetal position, still moving.

Then she saw Rafferty swing a hammer.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/raffertytrial/2012/03/16/19514241.html

[MuffyBee]

Tori Stafford's parents show solidarity with slain girl

Tori Stafford’s mother and father, like the parents of other slain children, sit through all the criminal proceedings, willing themselves to hear the details of their daughter’s last hours, no matter how horrific or painful the evidence.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/03/16/tori-stafford-tim-danson.html

I cannot begin to fathom the depths of pain Tori's parents endure on her behalf.  It has to be bad enough to not only bury your child someone has murdered, but to sit through all the details is heartbreaking.