'I can't redeem myself,' Curtis Bonnell told police
Accused killer said spirits were coming for him
CBC News
Posted: Oct 3, 2012 3:15 PM AT
Last Updated: Oct 3, 2012 5:03 PM AT
Hilary Bonnell disappeared from her northern New Brunswick community in September 2009. (RCMP)Accused killer Curtis Bonnell told police the spirits were coming for him shortly after he was arrested in connection with the 2009 disappearance of his 16-year-old cousin, Hilary Bonnell.
"I'm scared," he said. "I can't redeem myself.
"I need a spiritual man … I don't think there's anything in this world that can help me."
Bonnell, 32, of the Esgenoopetitj First Nation, is now standing trial for first-degree murder.
The Crown alleges Bonnell picked up Hilary on Sept. 5, 2009, as the she was walking along Micmac Road in the northeastern community after a party.
Bonnell is accused of holding Hilary against her will, sexually assaulting her and killing her.
On Wednesday, the jury saw a videotape of one of Bonnell's police interviews, conducted at the RCMP Tracadie-Sheila detachment.
Bonnell appears pale and haggard. The court hears that police had offered the previous day to buy him food from Dixie Lee Chicken, McDonalds or Subway, but he hasn't been able to keep any food down.
"I'm a broken spirit," Bonnell told the officer in a shaky voice. "I'm withering away."
Bonnell said he had a dream that the spirits were coming for him and he grabs the officer's leg, saying he is scared.
"My lips, my face are going numb."
The officer, who is trying to get more details about Hilary's death and the shallow grave Bonnell had led them to, tells Bonnell that he can "heal" himself.
"I can take that weight off your shoulders," the officer said.
It could take the full week to watch the remaining videos of police interviews with Bonnell.
The trial, which started on Sept. 17, is expected to last up to eight weeks.
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