Man charged with 1st-degree murder in Bay Roberts blames co-accused

Terry Cole spent October 6th, 2024 sitting in this interview room, a day after he was arrested in the murder of 42-year-old Michael Fillier in Bay Roberts. Cole, one of three people charged with first-degree murder, started out by insisting he did nothing wrong. Cole told police that September 30th was uneventful. He lazed around a friend's house, smoked crack, watched movies. But about three hours into the interview he was confronted with video evidence that showed him at Meeds in Bay Roberts in the early morning hours. He was told the video showed him and co-accused Matthew Cavanaugh getting into the back of a blue Chevy Colorado, a vehicle driven by the victim. Cole's story changed quickly. He said they bought drugs off Fillier that morning, that he drove Fillier's truck to nearby Country Road to do the deal. He said they argued over Cole's longtime girlfriend, Stephanie Noftel. Cole said Fillier insisted he was with Noftel now. He said, Mike Fillier was very much alive when I left. The officer told him the timeline suggested otherwise. The truck was found in flames just minutes after it was seen leaving the Meeds parking lot. Fillier's body was found inside after the fire was put out. Cole began sobbing and insisting Noftel had nothing to do with it. When the officer continued to press him, he said Matthew Cavanaugh did it. He told the officer that Cavanaugh was connected and knew people who could get to him anywhere. Cole's lawyers will have a chance to cross-examine the officer when trial resumes Friday morning. Ryan Cook, CBC News, St. John's.