In its second week, the trial of a man charged with the bombing death of a young Innisfail woman continues.
Brian Malley, 57, is charged with first-degree murder, causing an explosion of an explosive substance likely to cause serious bodily harm, death or serious damage to property and sending or delivering to a person an explosive device in relation to the death of Victoria Shachtay in 2011.
The charges stem after an explosion occurred inside Shachtay’s Innisfail residence in November 2011. The incident occurred after a package was delivered to the home which RCMP confirmed was the source of the explosion.
Malley was arrested in Red Deer on May 25th, 2012.
Shachtay, 23, was disabled and in a wheelchair from a car collision that happened in 2004. She was also a single mother to a then seven-year-old girl.
RCMP have confirmed Malley had known Shachtay for a number of years and acted as her financial adviser.
Last week, a video of the crime scene was played for the jury. The jury also saw a video of officers conducting a search warrant at Malley’s Innisfail home on May 25th, 2012.
The video of the crime scene was taken on Nov. 26th, 2011 and showed the inside of Shachtay’s residence. Debris could be seen all over the home including on the floor, on top of counter tops and on the walls. Shachtay’s wheelchair could be seen at the kitchen table where she opened the package, which was left on her doorstep and wrapped like a Christmas gift. There was a large amount of blood at the base of the wheelchair as well as black residue on the ceiling above where Shachtay was found. A window in front of the table she was sitting at was also boarded over.
A shower curtain in the adjacent bathroom was also lying inside the bathtub.
Another video of police conducting a search warrant at Malley’s Innisfail residence on May 25th, 2012 was also played in court last week. In the video officers could be seen swiftly searching various areas of the home including an office, living room, bedroom, kitchen, basement and the garage. Officers could be seen opening cupboards, drawers and closets, looking under tables, looking in toilets, looking in the attic, among others. Officers also checked a small shed that was located in the backyard.
Various items were seized from the home including light bulbs and gunpowder.
RCMP also conducted a second search at a location at 5551 53 Ave. in Innisfail where they searched two bays. Items were also seized at that location including a soldering gun in a plastic case.
The trial continues this week.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
