Xbox game figures in murder investigation

A trusted uncle playing Guitar Hero on an Xbox was the key to extracting information from a suspect in a fatal Saskatoon shooting, according to testimony heard in court Thursday.

A teenager, whose name can not be reported, is on trial for second-degree murder in the death of Charlotte Jolly who was shot in the early morning hours of Sept. 1, 2009. Jolly and the accused did not know each other.

The two were with separate groups who happened across each in an alley. The youth is accused of fatally shooting Jolly following some sort of confrontation between the two groups.

Court has heard prosecution witnesses outline how the young man came to have a rifle that night — it was taken from a stolen car.

On Thursday, the court heard how police recruited the youth's uncle in an effort to link the boy to the shooting.

According to testimony from the uncle, the man agreed to secretly record his nephew for police. In exchange for that help, the police agreed to drop an outstanding drinking and driving charge against the uncle.

To record the suspect, police rigged an Xbox game in the uncle's house with a hidden microphone.

Then, during a midnight-to-dawn session of the uncle and nephew playing the game Guitar Hero, the youth was recorded giving his account of the shooting.

Police arrested and charged the youth with second-degree murder.

The boy's lawyer, Morris Bodnar has said his client will admit to causing Jolly's death, but intent will figure in the defence case.