The disturbing details of the Crown's case into the abduction, sexual assault and murder of eight-year-old Tori Stafford were delivered to the jury Monday.
The trial of Michael Rafferty for kidnapping, sexual assault and first-degree murder comes about three years after Stafford disappeared outside her school in Woodstock, Ont.
In his opening statement, Crown attorney Kevin Gowdey warned the jury that the details of what happened to Stafford would be a difficult and disturbing story to hear.
The Crown will show evidence that Stafford died from repeated hammer blows to the head, Gowdey said.
Stafford was found naked from the waist down, only wearing a Hannah Montana T-shirt and her mother's earrings, the jury heard.
The pathologist found she has already been struck with blows that lacerated her liver and broke her ribs before the fatal hammer strikes, Gowdey said.
Rafferty, 31, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Terri-Lynne McClintic, 21, has already been convicted of first-degree murder in Stafford's death.
Rafferty sat expressionless as the Crown described its allegations.
Earlier in the day, both the courtroom and an overflow room packed with members of the media and the public were cleared for an in-camera discussion. Court then resumed at 1:30 p.m. for the meeting between only lawyers and the judge.
Superior Court Justice Thomas Heeney opened the proceedings with his instructions for the nine women and three men who are tasked with hearing the evidence and reaching a verdict in the case.
As Tori Stafford's father Rodney and grandmother Doreen Graichen also sat listening, Heeney warned the jurors they should expect to hear "graphic and disturbing" evidence as the trial unfolds in the weeks ahead.
Tori was a Grade 3 student when she disappeared on her way home from school in April, 2009. Surveillance video showed the girl walking with a then-unknown woman.
After an extensive search that made headlines nationwide, Stafford's body was found in a remote rural location three months later.
The trial is expected to last at least 10 weeks, though Heeney has told the jury to be prepared for proceedings to stretch into June.
Stafford's dad, Rodney, intends to be in the court every day to ensure that "justice is served for his eight-year-old daughter."
Rodney emerged from the court on Monday afternoon to speak with reporters, warning he could say little.
He said the past three years have been an emotional roller-coaster for him, and the loss of his daughter still hurts deeply.
"You can't even put it into words because from one minute to another you're all over the place. One song could change your total demeanour from being positive to being a whimpering fool. It's not like I want to be like this but it happens," he said.
Rodney said he also spoke to people on the weekend in his hometown, asking them if they knew who Victoria Stafford was. While few recognized his daughter's name, almost all immediately knew the name of the accused, Michael Rafferty.
"It's not about Michael Rafferty, it's about a little girl who lost her life and I'm going to make sure we push it and keep it that way," Rodney said.
He also said he has placed his faith in the jury, the Crown attorney and the work of investigators who have built a case against the accused.
"It's my understanding they've all done their job appropriately and we'll see how it works out."
