BY KEITH LACEY
A man accused of killing his wife and mother of his three young children 17 months ago will be on trial for the next three weeks.
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A 12-person jury was selected Tuesday morning and the first Crown witness is expected to be called Friday morning in the second-degree murder trial of Daniel Beaulne of Val Caron.
Beaulne, 35, pleaded not guilty to the charge laid following the violent death of his wife Sheryl Beaulne, 29, whose body was found in a quiet Valley East neighbourhood Nov. 22, 2001.
Her body was found in the home she shared with her husband and three young children on Sunset Drive in Val Caron.
Police and emergency personnel were called to the scene following a 911 call placed from the Beaulne home.
Police found the womanÂ?s dead body and the accused suffering from numerous injuries, which are believed to have been self-inflicted.
Beaulne has remained in custody at the Sudbury District Jail since his arrest 17 months ago.
Daniel Beaulne suffered numerous physical and emotional difficulties after a serious automobile accident left him unable to work.
Neighbours say the couple seldom argued early on in their marriage, but there were loud arguments and disturbances in the weeks prior to the outbreak of violence inside the home.
Beaulne is being represented by Sudbury lawyers Robert Beckett and Richard Huneault. Assistant Crown attorneys Diana Fuller and Philip Zylberberg are prosecuting the case. Justice John Poupore of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice is the presiding judge.
After the jury was selected Tuesday morning, Poupore told them to return to court Friday. Several motions put forward by legal counsel will take up court time today and Thursday.
The Crown is expected to call two dozen or so witnesses during the trial.
Beaulne, who was wearing a suit, sat passively as the jury selection process took place.
Before the first witness is called, the Crown is expected to provide the jury with a detailed analysis of the evidence they expect witnesses to present over the duration of the trial.
Defence lawyers have the option of presenting their opening address to the jury following the CrownÂ?s opening address or after the Crown has presented its case.
