Rafferty's phone records revealed to jury
Photo by MIKE HENSEN
William Renton, the head of investigation in the Michael Rafferty case, enters the London, Ont. courthouse on March 5, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Woodstock detective constable Sean Kelly leaves the courthouse after testifying in Michael Rafferty's murder trial in London, Ont. on March 8, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Laura Perry, right, leaves the courthouse after testifying in Michael Rafferty's murder trial on March 6, 2012. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)Photo by DEREK RUTTAN
OPP detective constable Robin Brocanier leaves the London, Ont. courthouse after testifying in Michael Rafferty's murder trial on March 6, 2012. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)Photo by DEREK RUTTAN
Tara McDonald, the mother of Tori Stafford, takes a break outside the London, Ont. courthouse on March 5, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency) Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Terri-Lynne McClintic poses at a Super 8 motel in Woodstock where she and Michael Rafferty spent a night.
Tori Stafford's father, Rodney Stafford, talks to the media outside the London, Ont. courthouse on March 6, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency) Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Tori Stafford's mother Tara McDonald arrives at the London, Ont. courthouse on March 7, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Tori Stafford's mother Tara McDonald, left, leaves the London, Ont. courthouse holding hands with her mother, Linda Winters, right, a friend, left, and boyfriend James Goris, walking behind, after testifying in Michael Rafferty's trial on March 7, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
Doreen Graichen, Tori Stafford's grandmother, talks to the media during a break in Michael Rafferty's murder trial on March 5, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Michael Rafferty's defence attorneys Dirk Derstine, right, and Laura Giordani talk to the media outside of the London, Ont. courthouse on March 7, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
Michael Rafferty leaves the London, Ont. courthouse in the back of a police cruiser on March 14, 2012. Rafferty is accused of killing 8-year-old Tori Stafford. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)Photo by DEREK RUTTAN
Tori Stafford's teacher Jennifer Griffin-Murrell leaves the courthouse after testifying in Michael Rafferty's trial on March 6, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Rodney Stafford, the father of Tori Stafford, talks to the media on March 7, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Terri-Lynne McClintic poses at a Super 8 motel in Woodstock where she and Michael Rafferty spent a night.
Former London, Ont. mayoral candidate Cynthia Etheridge holds an inflammatory bumper sticker and speaks to media outside the courthouse in London, Ont. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)Photo by DEREK RUTTAN
Michael Rafferty is taken back to jail in London, Ont. in the back of a police cruiser. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)Photo by DEREK RUTTAN
Rodney Stafford leaves court with his girlfriend Petrina Fraser in London, Ont. on March 13, 2012. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)Photo by DEREK RUTTAN
Tori Stafford's mother, Tara McDonald, leaves the court with her mother Linda Winters in London, Ont. on March 13, 2012. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)
Michael Carnegie, who is part of the crown attorney team involved in the Michael Rafferty case, enters the London, Ont. courthouse on March 21, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Tori Stafford's mom, Tara McDonald, walks into the London, Ont. courthouse on March 16, 2012. She is accompanied by her friend Jill and her mom Linda Winters. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Purple ribbons adorn the railings of the London, Ont. courthouse on March 16, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Tori Stafford's father, Rodney Stafford, talks to the media at the London, Ont. courthouse on March 16, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Police transport Terri-Lynne McClintic in the back of a van from the courthouse in London, Ont. on March 22, 2012. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)Photo by DEREK RUTTAN
Michael Rafferty's defence lawyer Dirk Derstine and his associate Laura Giordano leave the courthouse in London, Ont. on March 23, 2012. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)Photo by DEREK RUTTAN
Tori Stafford's mother, Tara McDonald, and her mother Linda Winters walk out of the London, Ont. courthouse on March 21, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Barbara Armstrong testified that she sold Percocets to Michael Rafferty on the day of the abduction of Tori Stafford. (Freeze Frame)
OPP detective Jim Smyth leaves the courthouse in London, Ont. following his testimony in the trial of Michael Rafferty on March 30, 2012. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI Agency)Photo by DEREK RUTTAN
An OPP officer closes the gate to a laneway after a media tour of the 2009 crime scene where the body of Tori Stafford was found near Mount Forest on April 2, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
A marker with the letter C indicates the view back to the main road near a rock pile where the body of Tori Stafford was found at the 2009 crime scene near Mount Forest on April 2, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
A marker with the letter H indicates the area near a rock pile where the body of Tori Stafford was found near Mount Forest on April 2, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
OPP officers collect indicator signs after a media tour of the 2009 crime scene where the body of Tori Stafford was found near Mount Forest on April 2, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
An OPP officer looks into a ravine mentioned by convicted killer Terri-Lynne McClintic in her testimony at the remote scene where Tori Stafford was murdered, in 2009, near Mount Forest on April 2, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
A police officer stands near a marker with the letter H which indicates the area near a rock pile where the body of Tori Stafford was found near Mount Forest on April 2, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
Tori Stafford's mom Tara MacDonald, left, and witness Charity Spitzig smoke outside the London courthouse Friday April 20, 2012 after Spitzig, an escort who was dating Michael Rafferty testified at the London courthouse in the first degree murder trial of Michael Rafferty. MIKE HENSEN/QMI AGENCY Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Crown attorney Michael Carnegie and lead investigator William Renton in the Michael Rafferty murder trial head into court on April 27, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Rafferty witness Charity Spitzig Friday April 20, 2012 after the Spitzig, an escort who was dating Michael Rafferty testified at the London courthouse. MIKE HENSEN/QMI AGENCY Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Defence lawyer Dirk Derstine, right, and his associate Laura Giordano leave the London, Ont. courthouse during a lunch recess on May 1, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
Rodney Stafford, father of slain Woodstock girl Tori Stafford, leaves the London Courthouse during a lunch recess on May 1, 2012. (CRAIG GLOVER/QMI Agency)Photo by CRAIG GLOVER
Lead Crown Attorney Kevin Gowdey, right, walks out of court during a lunch recess with fellow crowns Michael Carnegie, Stephanie Venne, and Brian Crockett on May 8, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency) Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Michael Rafferty's defence lawyer Dirk Derstine heads into court on May 8, 2012 to hear the prosecutions final arguments. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Michael Rafferty's mother, Deborah Murphy, walks into the London, Ont. courthouse on May 7, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Lead Crown Attorney Kevin Gowdey, centre, walks out of court during a lunch recess with fellow crowns Michael Carnegie and Stephanie Venne on May 8, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Tara MacDonald and James Goris talk before heading into the London, Ont. courthouse to hear the prosecution's final arguments on May 8, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Michael Rafferty's mother, Deborah Murphy, walks out of the London, Ont. courthouse on May 7, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency) Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Rodney Stafford leaves the London, Ont. courthouse on May 8, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI Agency)Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Rodney Stafford, father of slain 8 year old Woodstock girl Victoria Stafford, reacts as he sits with his girlfriend Patrina Fraser while waiting for the verdict outside the courthouse in London, Ontario, May 11, 2012, as the jury continues its second day of deliberations in the trial of Michael Rafferty, the accused in Victoria's murder. (REUTERS/Geoff Robins)Photo by REUTERS
Tara McDonald, Tori Stafford's mother shows off a new bracelet Friday May 11, 2012 that is made up of images of her daughter in various stages of her young life. McDonald is at the London court house waiting for the jury which is deliberating the fate of murder suspect Michael Rafferty. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI AGENCY) Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Michael Rafferty slumps back in his chair in the prisoner's box after the verdict is read, while the jurors are being thanked for their duties. (Sketch by Charles Vincent)
Lead Crown Attorney Kevin Gowdy walks to the podium set up outside the London courthouse after Michael Rafferty was found guilty on all three counts Friday May 11, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI AGENCY) Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Rodney Stafford celebrates after Michael Rafferty was found guilty on all three counts Friday May 11, 2012. (MIKE HENSEN/QMI AGENCY) Photo by MIKE HENSEN
Tara McDonald, mother of slain eight-year-old Woodstock girl Victoria Stafford, leaves the courthouse in London, Ontario, May 11, 2012, following a guilty verdict in the trial of Michael Rafferty, the accused in Victoria's murder. (REUTERS/Geoff Robins)Photo by REUTERS
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LONDON, ONT.In the final days before his arrest for the murder of Victoria (Tori) Stafford, Michael Rafferty spent a lot of time shopping.
He searched for something at an auto wreckers, exchanged his cellphone, looked for a special pair of running shoes and bought gifts for a girlfriend.
He also worried about the police.
“He was just very upset that the police had come to the door, questioned him about Tori ... He seemed to feel that the police were blaming him for taking Tori,” girlfriend Joy Woods testified in court Tuesday.
“I assured him if he hadn’t, there was nothing to worry about.”
After finishing shopping for the day, May 19, 2009, Rafferty met Woods in Woodstock to drop off some gifts for her.
Police showed up again, this time to arrest him.
The puzzle pieces of Rafferty’s last days before his arrest were displayed for jurors Tuesday in a London courtroom. Many may relate to corresponding bits of testimony from Rafferty’s ex-girlfriend, Terri-Lynne McClintic, and other witnesses.
McClintic, 21, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the April 8, 2009, disappearance of the eight-year-old Woodstock girl, and has testified against Rafferty in his trial.
Rafferty has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual assault causing bodily harm.
The Crown has divided its case in chapters, and Tuesday began the chapter about Rafferty’s final days before his arrest, based on testimony from Woods and investigating officers.
On May 11, 2009, Rafferty went to Corey’s Auto Wreckers in London, signing in at 3:05 p.m. and leaving an hour later. There was no evidence why he was there and he didn’t buy anything. McClintic testified earlier that Tori was kept hidden, and later raped in the backseat of Rafferty’s 2003 Honda Civic. The car had no backseat bench when he was arrested.
On May 14, Rafferty went to a Bell store to exchange his BlackBerry, complaining the battery lasted only half a day and the connections for the headset and charger weren’t working. That eventually led to police getting billing information that showed Rafferty made calls from Mount Forest the evening of April 8, 2009. Tori’s body was found in the Mount Forest area July 19, 2009.
Rafferty told Woods he was late for a shopping trip to Port Huron on May 15 because he had to visit an 18-year-old girl in court. McClintic was 18 at the time and had a court hearing that day. In Port Huron, Rafferty “was pretty adamant he wanted to find. . . a specific pair of Puma shoes,” Woods testified.
Jurors have heard Rafferty gave McClintic a pair of Puma shoes after directing her to throw out her own after Tori was killed. That same day, after Woods dropped Rafferty off at his house, police arrived and questioned him about his connection to McClintic.
On May 19, Rafferty called Woods her four times from White Oaks Mall in London asking for her dress and shoe sizes. Woods was heading for Las Vegas the next day. “He always wanted to buy stuff for me . . . and wanted to buy (my) kids stuff,” she said.
That same day, he went back to the Bell store to hand in the old BlackBerry and pick up a loaner. The data on the old BlackBerry had been wiped clean by the time police found it, but police obtained billing records, court heard.
Rafferty called Woods about 7 p.m. to arrange to meet in a parking lot in Woodstock to drop off the gifts. He got into her car with several bags of gifts.
“Not a clue,” Woods testified when asked why she thought Rafferty was arrested.
As for the gifts in the shopping bags, “I never did see them.”
The trial continues Wednesday.
