Crime scene fingerprint matched Sudbury murder suspect, court hears

A fingerprint found on a detergent bottle at the crime scene matched Felicity Altiman, a Sudbury court heard Thursday.

Altiman, 43, is on trial for second-degree murder in the December 2020 stabbing death of 75-year-old Robert Keskinen.

Keskinen's remains were found in his Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day by his cousin, Richard Keller. The Crown said in opening statements that he had been stabbed about 103 times and his genitals were mutilated.

The Crown also said witnesses will testify that Altiman frequently stayed with a friend in another apartment in the same building and had told others she would "steal from the old man across the hall."

Altiman was charged with Keskinen's death on Jan. 7, 2021.

Testifying on Thursday, forensic specialist Det. Const. Gregory Smuland of the Greater Sudbury Police said more than 100 photos were taken at the crime scene.

Those included inside the apartment where the homicide occurred, and the stairwell where the building's property manager found a pair of bloody jeans on Dec. 26.

Several items in the photos were covered in what appeared to be blood.

Smuland said viable fingerprints were found on two Sunlight dish detergent bottles and a plastic grocery bag found in the apartment.

The body of Robert Keskinen was found in his Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day 2020. He had been stabbed to death. (Obituary photo)

He said a bloody fingerprint found on one of the detergent bottles matched the fingerprint on Altiman’s right index finger.

Smuland said the prints showed a hand was clutching the bottle.

He also testified that in February 2023, a Cuisinart steak knife was found in the drain of Keskinen's apartment, Unit 221 at 517 Kathleen St. The knife was sent to the Centre for Forensic Sciences for processing.

When Altiman was arrested in January 2021, police seized a multi-tool pocketknife. Police also seized other items, including a screwdriver and brown winter boots, which are believed to have belonged to Keskinen.

Also testifying on Thursday was Stephen Mackie, an advanced care paramedic who arrived at the crime scene with his partner on Boxing Day 2020.

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Mackie told court the victim had "blood on his face" and "there appeared to be trauma." He also noted that "the body was cold to the touch and covered in dried blood."

Mackie said he deemed the patient "obviously dead," explaining there are specific criteria for deeming a patient "obviously dead."

The trial resumes next week. It’s expected to take four weeks. The Crown has said it has more than a dozen witnesses it expects to call during that time.