Court of King's Bench in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Crime scene photos shown during day four of Prince Albert manslaughter trial

Apr 3, 2024 | 3:00 PM

**Editor’s note: the following story contains graphic details

Family members of a man who was found dead at a home in Black Lake, wept as dozens of graphic crime scene photos were displayed on a large screen and discussed in court.

RCMP Cpl. Kelly Bates was among the latest to testify at the Jerrick Stalthanee manslaughter trial at Prince Albert’s Court of King’s Bench, and was in charge of the investigation at the house where Arley Cook’s body was found on Dec. 14, 2021.

The 27-year-old was found lying face down on the floor of a bedroom, just a few inches away from the bed. There was blood around his nose and mouth, and within the rim of the hat he wore that night.

A blood stain was also found on the bed, and there were signs Cook vomited.

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Cook’s wallet, containing multiple pieces of identification, was found in a nearby dresser.

According to testimony heard on Tuesday, Cook, along with the accused, and one of Cook’s friends were drinking whiskey the night prior. Robert Broussie (the friend) testified to passing out and awaking to the sound of Stalthanee striking a helpless Cook multiple times in the head.

Jerrick Stalthanee (black sweater) was accompanied by family when he exited the courthouse on Wednesday. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

After exiting the house, Broussie said he and Cook had walked together back to the house where Cook lived. While he could not recall if anything was said, Broussie stated when he left Cook at the house, his friend was walking fine.

Hours later, Cook was found deceased.

Also on the stand Wednesday, was retired RCMP officer Lindsay Wudrick, who at the time of Cook’s death worked for the Major Crimes Unit and took statements from Cook’s family members and from Broussie. He said everyone was very cooperative.

“We thought that was quite refreshing,” he said.

Wudrick was also asked by the Crown whether any of the people interviewed showed any sign of intoxication.

“I made no note of any signs of impairment,” he replied.

On the stand Wednesday afternoon, was a neuro-pathologist who explained how a hemorrhage was caused by the head injuries.

While the cause of death is believed to be blunt force trauma, a forensic pathologist will share specifics when he testifies on Thursday.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell