Witness details Winnipeg double-homicide at trial

The Crown's key witness in a Winnipeg double-murder trial was on the stand all day Wednesday, giving his account of what happened before he was grilled by defence lawyers.

Steven Solomon has been testifying since Tuesday in the first-degree murder trial of Kelly Clarke, a one-time friend he had met in prison.

Clarke, 41, is on trial for two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Joel Labossiere, 34, and his wife, Magdalena, 33, who were found shot "execution-style" in their St. Vital home on April 20, 2008.

On Wednesday, Solomon told a jury that he drove with Clarke to the Labossiere home the night before, after they had obtained clothing and shoes, along with a stolen vehicle and shotgun shells.

Once they arrived at the couple's house, Clarke broke in with the butt end of a sawed-off shotgun, court heard.

Heard screams, shots, silence

Solomon told the court he heard a man scream, followed by the sound of a gunshot and silence. He said he also heard a woman screaming, followed by a shot and silence.

Solomon testified that he was not in the house at the time and did not see the shootings.

Joel and Magdalena Labossiere's bodies were found the next day. Court has heard that Magdalena Labossiere was visibly pregnant at the time.

According to Solomon, Clarke later told him, "You're luckyI would have made you do one of them."

Clarke and Solomon then drove away and disposed of the shotgun, unused shells and the clothing they had worn, before setting fire to the stolen vehicle.

In witness protection program

Under intense cross-examination on Wednesday afternoon, Solomon admitted that he had lied several times to police.

Solomon was never charged in the Labossiere homicides. Court heard thatSolomon is now in the witness protection program, and the Manitoba government has paid for Solomon to move out the province.

Solomon testified that he became afraid after he was arrested on some breaking and entering charges several weeks after the homicides.

Solomon said Clarke phoned his parents about the arrest, and that scared him.

In addition to paying for his move out of Manitoba, the province cleared up some ofSolomon's debts and continues to pay part ofhis rent and cover medical expenses for an ulcer he has, court heard.

Solomon has had two security officers with him constantly throughout his testimony, which continues Thursday morning.