A man from Michigan, Brian Aaron Marbury, has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the case involving the death of his estranged wife, Sahra Bulle from Windsor, as decided by a jury.
The jury reached their verdict on Wednesday, after a trial at the Superior Court of Justice in Windsor that spanned several weeks and concluded with nearly five hours of deliberation.
Following the verdict, outside the court, Bulle’s mother, Fartumo Kusow, expressed gratitude towards the police, Crown attorneys, and the jury for their dedication. She mentioned that while her family may not achieve complete justice, they are appreciative that the case is coming to a resolution.
Kusow also acknowledged the support received from the community during the period of Bulle’s disappearance and subsequent demise.
Bulle, aged 36, was reported missing towards the end of May 2023, and a week later her body was discovered buried in a shallow grave within a wooded location. The authorities charged Marbury with first-degree murder in June 2023.
In response to the verdict, Defense Lawyer Kenneth Marley, representing Marbury, expressed disappointment and highlighted Superior Court Justice Ian Leach’s comments questioning the strength of the Crown’s theory on first-degree murder. Marley indicated respect for the jury’s decision but conveyed a lack of comprehension regarding it and mentioned the potential consideration of an appeal in the future.
Crown Attorney Emile Carrington opted not to comment outside the court, mentioning that a statement would be issued during the sentencing phase.
The charge of first-degree murder in Canada necessitates premeditation and deliberation or specific circumstances such as kidnapping, leading to a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for 25 years. During the trial, the jury also had to deliberate on Marbury’s guilty plea to causing indignity to a human body, which was also determined as guilty.
The trial proceedings revealed that Marbury and Bulle met at a Windsor motel on May 26, 2023, with witnesses testifying to an altercation and surveillance footage capturing Marbury transporting what was identified as Bulle’s body.
Testimony from Bulle’s mother highlighted a history of abuse in the nearly two-decade relationship between Marbury and Bulle. The Crown presented evidence supporting premeditation of the murder, while the defense countered that the charge was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Marley, who did not present any witnesses, raised alternative scenarios of Bulle’s death, such as a fall or overdose, which were not conclusively ruled out due to the condition of Bulle’s remains during forensic examinations and toxicology assessments.