Christopher Hurd found guilty of first-degree murder
Posted April 19, 2011 11:52 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Christopher Hurd has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2008 strangling death of Loretta Lavalley.
“Justice was served, but she’s still gone,” said Jason Hookimaw, Lavelley’s brother.
“Just the thought of not hearing her voice anymore, it’s hard. But she’ll be in our hearts,” said Angela Anwhatin, the victim’s sister.
While Hurd admitted to killing Lavelly, whom he did not know, his lawyers argued the amount of drugs and alcohol in his system prevented him from having the “intent” required for a first-degree murder conviction.
The court heard that Hurd broke into her apartment through a balcony door then proceeded to sexually assault and strangle her.
Lavelley, a 36-year-old LCBO employee, lived alone in a ground-floor apartment. Hurd broke in on November 30, 2008.
Much of the attack was recorded after Lavalley called 911 with her cellphone shortly after midnight. She concealed the phone in blankets on top of a chest.
Due to the graphic nature of the call, Lavelley’s family was asked to leave the courthouse while the jury listened to the recording.
Hurd was found to have a blood alcohol level 2 1/2 times the legal limit and also had marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms in his system.
