After court proceedings were delayed for a week, the trial of a Millet mother facing charges in the killing of her two sons began Monday.
Allyson McConnell is charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of her two sons.
The accused arrived at the Wetaskiwin Provincial Court Monday morning – she is currently a patient at Alberta Hospital under suicide watch.
In the afternoon, Court heard disturbing details related to the tragic death of Allyson McConnell's two young boys more than two years ago, including searches found on a computer hard drive.
A forensic analyst testified Monday afternoon, stating numerous search items found on a hard drive from a computer in McConnell's home included ‘how long does it take to drown' and ‘how long does it take to die from strangulation'.
In an agreed statement of fact, McConnell admitted to drowning her sons, two-year-old Connor and ten-month-old Jayden in the bathtub of the family's home in February 2010.
That same day, McConnell's car was found near an Edmonton overpass where police responded to a reported suicide attempt – it's believed McConnell had attempted to kill herself.
The bodies of the two children were discovered by their father Curtis McConnell later that day.
In the courtroom Monday morning, the Crown outlined their case, saying they would concentrate on why the deaths of the two young boys occurred.
The Crown said in the weeks leading up to the tragedy, McConnell had become angry that her marriage had ended, and that her husband had been attempting to prevent her from taking the two boys back to Australia, her home country – and just before the deaths she had begun giving away items such as a car seat and clothing.
The accused has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, her trial was set to begin last Monday but was delayed a week.
Two police witnesses and Curtis McConnell are expected to take the stand Tuesday as the trial continues.
With files from Serena Mah
