'Disgusting, sad and horrible': Lafantaisie's family reacts to medical examiner's testimony

Elizabeth Lafantaisie was sexually assaulted before being strangled to death and put in the trunk of her car five years ago, testified Dr. Thambirajah Balachandra in court on Tuesday. It was the second day in the first-degree murder trial of Thomas Brine, the man accused in the 73-year-old's death.

Dr.Balachandra, Manitoba's chief medical examiner, performed Lafantaisie's autopsy. He told the court numerous samples were taken from the grandmother's body and examined.

One of those samples revealed Lafantaisie had been sexually assaulted shortly before her death. He also told the court, he discovered fractured bones in her neck and leg.

Brine pleaded not guilt of first-degree murder in Lafantaisie's death. The 29-year-old appeared in court on Tuesday dressed in a white button-down shirt. He sat quietly and listened to testimony.

Attack on Lafantaisie appeared random

Lafantaisie was attacked in the underground parking garage of a University Crescent apartment building in 2011. Her body was later found in the trunk of her car across the city near River Avenue and Lewis Street.

The Crown alleges Brine took the vehicle to a self-serve car wash to remove all evidence before ditching the vehicle.

The courtroom was packed with the victim's loved ones.

Lafantaisie's granddaughter, Charmaine Gosselin, said outside the court on Tuesday it was difficult for the family to hear the forensic details relating to her assault and death.

"It's disgusting and sad and horrible all at the same time," said Gosselin.

Family members are resigned they may never understand why Lafantaisie was killed, she said.

"The one closure is knowing what happened to our mamère in the last hours of her life," Gosselin said.

Lafantaisie's jury consists of three women and nine men. The court will hear DNA evidence when trial continues Wednesday.