BC murder suspect tells jury ex-wife's death was like suicide

Vitali Stefanski, accused of murdering his ex-wife Tatjana Stefanski, told a British Columbia jury that her death was akin to a suicide. Representing himself during closing arguments at his second-degree murder trial, Stefanski urged the jury to believe him and find him not guilty.

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You should believe me that I am not guilty.

Stefanski faces charges after Tatjana Stefanski's body was discovered with multiple stab wounds off a rural road near Lumby, B.C., in April 2024. A knife found at the scene contained DNA from both Tatjana and Vitali Stefanski. Police testified that the accused emerged shoeless from the forest and confessed to the killing, though Stefanski denied this account.

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I never said that.

During his closing arguments, Stefanski dismissed the Crown's narrative, stating it was incorrect. He claimed there was insufficient evidence to prove his responsibility for her death. He testified earlier in the trial that his ex-wife stabbed herself in his car and that he did not dump her body, but rather she slipped from his grasp by the roadside.

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For me, it’s like a suicide.

Justice Bradford Smith instructed the jury on how to weigh the evidence, including Stefanski's testimony and the alleged confession. The judge advised jurors they could accept all, part, or none of Stefanski's evidence and cautioned them not to presume an accused who testifies will lie to avoid conviction. The jury has begun deliberations.

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You should reject everything that Crown said yesterday.