A verdict in the case of a Langford man accused of killing his mother in 2021 will not come until after defence lawyers have a chance to argue that he is not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Power had been expected to deliver her verdict Wednesday morning in the second-degree murder trial of Ryan Elder. The Crown had called two witnesses during two days of trial in Victoria this week, while the defence elected not to call any evidence.
But instead, the trial will resume as expected on Monday, with defence lawyers Ryan Drury and Schuyler Roy arguing that Ryan Elder is not criminally responsible for the death of 59-year-old Raymonde Elder.
Following arguments from defence and Crown on his criminal responsibility, Power will determine both Ryan Elder’s guilt and whether he is criminally responsible.
Court heard this week that Ryan Elder, 30, gave a detailed account to police of how he killed his mother by punching, stabbing and strangling her.
Police found Raymonde Elder’s body on Dec. 31, 2021, in her living room after her brother requested a wellness check. Ryan Elder was in the home when police arrived.
The last outgoing phone call and text message from Raymonde Elder’s phone were made on Dec. 25, putting her death between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Ryan Elder has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.
