Medical examiner describes gruesome death of Michael Fillier

It was not an easy day for the jury. 14 regular people flipping through dozens of gruesome photographs. Images of a man's body found in a burning truck and stills from the autopsy that followed. Matthew Cavanaugh, Terry Cole and Stephanie Noftel stand accused of first degree murder and the 2024 death of 42 year old Michael Fillier in Bay Roberts. The jury heard Thursday from medical examiner Dr. Christopher Huff who performed the autopsy on Fillier. He said 99% of his body was burned in the truck fire. His lower limbs were reduced to rubble. The jury was warned it was going to be graphic. One woman opened the first booklet and immediately closed it. Others could be seen taking deep breaths and looking up to the ceiling at times. But they pushed through, hearing from Huff, along with a forensics officer and a forensic anthropologist who helped remove Fillier's remains from the truck. The Crown is alleging Fillier was killed here in a Bay Roberts parking lot on September 30, 2024. His body was found inside the truck on a nearby dirt road that morning. Huff said the cause of death was ligature strangulation. The victim was found with a wire wrapped around his neck. The Crown says it will make the case that Noftel was in the truck with Fillier for more than an hour before Cole and Kavanaugh pulled up and climbed into the back seat, strangling the victim and burning his body. Trial continues Friday with Huff under cross-examination by the defense. Ryan Cook, CBC News, St. John's.