Roy Thielen refused to testify at the double murder trial of Robert Bradshaw in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster on Wednesday morning.
Thielen, 33, said from the prisoner’s box that he was there against his will. He said he had consulted a lawyer and is refusing to testify.
Thielen is already serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to second degree murder in the killings of Langley’s Marc Bontkes and Laura Lynn Lamoureux, which took place five days apart in March, 2009. He was brought to court from jail.
Bradshaw is being tried by a jury. He is charged with first degree murder in both killings.
Thielen could be found in contempt of court. That will be up to Judge Bruce Greyell. However, there is no real additional punishment for contempt in this case, as he is already in jail.
The trial was adjourned and resumed at 2 p.m. At that time, Thielen was again asked to testify. Once again, he refused. Greyell told him that he could be held in contempt of court, and set Oct. 18 for a show cause hearing. At that time, Thielen can demonstrate why he should not be held in contempt of court.
After his refusal to testify, the court went into a voir dire session to determine the admissibility of a video re-enactment of the night Bontkes was killed. The jury was dismissed and will not return to court until Tuesday.
Michelle Matola, 21, is also serving a sentence for Bontkes’ murder. She was sentenced to six years after pleading guilty to manslaughter. She was initially charged with first degree murder.