Image Credit: Facebook / Nathaniel Jessup

By Ashley Legassic

JESSUP TRIAL

Kamloops murder trial hangs on whether 2014 KRCC death was criminal

May 27, 2019 | 12:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — Dylan Judd was 20 years old when he was found dead in his prison cell.

Now, more than four years later, his cellmate Nathaniel Jessup is on trial for second-degree murder.

Trial began in B.C. Supreme Court in Kamloops Monday morning (May 27). Crown will be calling 10 witnesses throughout the case, including Judd’s mother and two forensic pathologists.

Crown prosecutors Neil Wiberg and Monica Fras argue Jessup killed Judd in their shared cell on Nov. 10, 2014.

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But defence lawyers believe Judd’s death was a suicide, as it was originally deemed. It wasn’t until more than two years after Judd’s death that the case was deemed suspicious.

This morning, court heard Judd and Jessup were in their cell the night prior to Judd’s death. At 7:30 the next morning, Fras says, Jessup went in and out of the cell five times before telling an official something was wrong with Judd.

The responding correctional officer went into the cell and found Judd under his blanket — cold to the touch and with a KRCC sweater tied around his neck.

Fras said Jessup had the “exclusive opportunity” to kill Judd.

During the trial officials from KRCC, two forensic pathologists, and RCMP officers will testify for the Crown.

Fras said a nurse from KRCC will be testifying, and she expects her to describe how the sweater was loose enough that she could untie it with her hands.

At the time of Judd’s death, it was ruled not suspicious. But during the investigation the BC Coroners Service alerted police to potential criminality.

Defence lawyers haven’t made their opening submissions, but say Judd’s death was a suicide.

Late last week, Creston RCMP announced a murder charge against Jessup in connection to the 2015 death of 58-year-old Katherine McAdam.

None of the charges against Jessup have been proven in court.