A police officer broke down in tears on Monday at the Robert Pickton murder trial as she described the terrible state of animals at the accused's farm in B.C.

Const. Daryl Hetherington said that, during a search of the farm, she found a sow with an aborted litter, and a pit bull playing with one of the dead piglets.

The female pig could not stand, and she saw a hog with one foot that appeared to be rotting, the officer said in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.

Pickton is being tried on six of 26 charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of missing women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, with a second trial to be held later. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On Monday, the start of the fifth week of the trial, Hetherington said a veterinarian was called to the farm in Port Coquitlam in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. Some of the animals were destroyed on site, while others were taken away.

Another police witness testified that Pickton was, in a note sent to him by an apparent friend named Nancy, strongly urged to take a bath.

Jury to work shorter hours

Sgt. Margaret Kingsbury told defence lawyer Adrian Brooks that among the many items she and other officers seized inside Pickton's trailer in February 2002 was a note inside a headboard in the accused's bedroom.

"Willie, have a bath, please. It's been six days. P.U. Thanks for the use of the truck. I took so long because I went to Save-On-Foods. Check out the healthy goodies, and help yourself. I'm in bed. Love, Nancy," the note said.

The Pickton jury learned Monday that it will be working shorter hours.

Justice James Williams said the trial will start at 10 a.m. PT daily from now on, instead of 9:30 a.m. PT. The change allows the court time to deal with procedural matters relating to the trial.

 

With files from the Canadian Press