The best evidence that Michael Ball planned Erin Howlett’s death can be found in the Kitchener resident’s own words, jurors at his murder trial heard Tuesday.
Ball has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the death of Howlett, whose body was found in a duffel bag in the Grand River in July 2013.
Earlier in the week, jurors heard the final submission from defence lawyer Brennan Smart, who argued that there was no evidence proving Ball killed Howlett.
Smart said that forensic testing was unable to prove how Howlett died, and claimed police had “tunnel vision” for his client from the beginning of their investigation.
He also blasted Daniel Warwick, the man who testified that he helped Ball dispose of Howlett’s body, as an “immoral liar.”
Tuesday, Crown attorney Roger Dietrich made his closing comments, saying the evidence pointed to a planned, deliberate killing of Howlett by Ball.
Dietrich reminded jurors of text messages Ball sent friends weeks before Howlett’s death, including one in which he talked about tying her up and putting her body in a duffel bag.
He also talked about a conversation Ball had in which he talked about buying a black duffel bag from a surplus store and wanting to kill Howlett.
“That’s what Ball was contemplating all along,” Dietrich said.
“This is called direct evidence from Mr. Ball.”
Ball has said that he does not remember making the statements in question, as he was often drunk during that time period, but does not deny making them.
As for Warwick, Dietrich said that details in his evidence – including how many rocks were used to weigh down the duffel bag and where the bag was left – represent evidence confirming the case against Ball.
Dietrich also told jurors that there was no evidence anyone other than Ball had expressed a desire to kill Howlett.
Jurors are expected to receive their final instructions from the judge Wednesday morning, then begin their deliberations.
