Trial in 1996 Christmas Day murder underway in Edmonton

Coat of Arms at the Edmonton Law Courts building, in Edmonton on Friday, June 28, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

A trial is now underway for a man accused in a Christmas Day murder that happened nearly 30 years ago.

Brayan Boucher, now 51, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of a 24-year-old woman whose body was found in her apartment at 34 Street and 119 Avenue in 1996.

A publication ban now prevents CTV News Edmonton from identifying the woman.

According to the Edmonton Police Service, Boucher was a person of interest early in the investigation, but there was not enough evidence at the time to make an arrest.

He was charged in 2023 after advances in DNA technology.

Police said the evidence was re-examined at an RCMP Forensic Lab in late 2022 and Boucher’s DNA matched a DNA profile in the case.

During opening remarks in the trial on Monday the Crown told the jury that Boucher’s DNA was found in several items in the apartment, on the woman, and on her clothing.

His DNA was also found on the bathrobe belt and shoelace used to strangle the woman.

The trial is expected to last four weeks.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson