Defence admits Sudbury murder suspect stole from the victim, but insists she didn't kill him

WARNING: Readers are cautioned that the following story contains some graphic elements many people will find upsetting. 

The defence for a woman accused of second-degree murder in Sudbury admits she stole from the male victim, but insists the man was already dead when she arrived in his apartment.

The Crown and defence gave closing arguments Monday in the trial of Felicity Altiman.

Altiman, 43, is accused in the December 2020 stabbing death of Robert Keskinen, who was 75 when his remains were found inside his Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day.

Keskinen was stabbed more than 100 times and his genitals were mutilated.

In the three-week trial, jurors heard from more than a dozen Crown witnesses, but none from the defence.

In her closing submission Monday, Crown attorney Kaely Whillans told jurors they don't need to be convinced about the reasons why Altiman may have committed the murder.

"You have to consider everything together," Whillans said.

Witnesses testified that on Christmas Eve 2020, Altiman had been staying in the same Kathleen Street building where Keskinen lived, in the apartment of Wayne Shabogesic.

Shabogesic had a small gathering at his place that included alcohol and drug use. His son, Dustin Simon, was also there and gave testimony in the case.

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

Felicity Altiman, 43, is accused in the December 2020 stabbing death of Robert Keskinen, who was 75 when his remains were found inside his Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day. (File)

At one point during the party, Altiman told them she was going to visit the older man who lived across the hall. She returned several hours later with bags full of men’s clothing and other items, later discovered to belong to Keskinen.

Both Shabogesic and Simon testified that among the items were a pair of brown winter boots. It later emerged the boots belonged to Keskinen and that his cousin had purchased for him that fall.

In her closing address, Whillans said Altiman left the party to go where she might find some money.

Altiman had previously told others she had stolen from "the old man across the hall." Whillans said Altiman had stolen from Keskinen in the past and "it just wasn’t as easy this time around."

DNA found on key evidence

Forensic investigators testified that Altiman’s DNA and Keskinen’s blood were found on key evidence, including two Sunlight dish detergent bottles, the deadbolt lock on Keskinen’s apartment door and a pair of bloody jeans found in the back stairwell.

In his 45-minute closing submission, defence attorney Steven Hinkson reminded them that during jury selection, Justice Dan Cornell spoke to them about judicial principles of "presumed innocence" and "beyond a reasonable doubt."

Hinkson pointed out that there had never been a conflict between Altiman and Keskinen.

While Altiman went to Keskinen’s apartment that night and stole from him, Hinkson said that when she arrived, the victim was already dead.

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He insisted that there was "no single piece of evidence Altiman stabbed Keskinen."

"How does it look that a woman goes to steal from a dead person? It doesn’t look good," Hinkson said.

"You may think that is immoral (but) that’s not why she is here ... Felicity Altiman is guilty of theft, maybe bad judgment, but not murder."

Justice Dan Cornell is expected to give the first part of his directions to the jury Monday afternoon, with the remainder Tuesday before the jury heads off to deliberate.