Trial of Saint John man accused of murdering his wife underway

Crown and defense lawyers delivered opening remarks in a trial for a St. John man charged with the second-degree murder of his wife in 2024. Prosecutors allege Diego Alejandro Osario Angarita struck 30-year-old Nixie Arboleda Rodriguez with his vehicle with intention to kill. The incident happened in the early hours of Christmas Eve in 2024. First responders were called at 4.10 a.m. to a west side street where Arboleda's body was discovered. Responders administered first aid, but the Crown Prosecutor says Arboleda was pronounced dead at 5.24 a.m. at the hospital. In its opening address to the jury, the Crown says it plans to call the couple's co-workers, police officers, forensic experts, and others. Both Crown and Defence describe a timeline that starts with a holiday work party at a bar the night before. After drinking with co-workers, Crown Prosecutor Jasmine Buchanan said the couple drove home at roughly 2.45 a.m. Buchanan told the jury they would see surveillance footage that captures the incident and forensic evidence of Arboleda's DNA found under the vehicle. Buchanan said Osorio claims he and his wife arrived home after picking up their dog from a friend and went to bed. He says he woke up at 5 a.m. and realized his wife was missing and went to look for her. Buchanan said Osorio claims lapses in memory from the night and that he does not know what happened to his wife. Defense lawyer Justin Gulliver says the evidence will show the jury a tragic accident. The trial is expected to last 28 days.