Mark Twitchell's ex-wife took the stand Monday morning as the St. Albert man's trial on first-degree murder charges continued into its second week.
Jess Twitchell, who married the accused in January 2007 and finalized a divorce with him last December, testified they had a rocky relationship that was in serious trouble when he was arrested in fall 2008.
Due to the marital troubles the couple largely lived apart, sleeping in separate bedrooms and not seeing much of one another, Jess testified.
"We were living pretty separate lives."
His former wife said she had assumed Twitchell was working for ADT Security in the months leading up to his arrest, but she found out later he left the company in May 2008.
Crown prosecutor Avril Inglis led an often tense and emotional Jess through pictures of the couple's former home, including pictures of swords, books and other items police testified they found in the home.
When Inglis showed a picture of the front of the couple's Deer Ridge home Jess burst into tears and had trouble keeping her composure.
Jess testified she has not seen her ex-husband since Oct. 20, 2008, the day police arrived at their home and told her what they thought her husband had allegedly done.
"The police came to our house and said that they thought Mark had killed someone, had murdered someone."
After police asked her a few questions and obtained a search warrant, Jess said she grabbed a few items and left the house to stay with family.
On the night police allege Twitchell killed Altinger, Jess testified she did not see her husband until very late in the evening.
She became concerned around 9 p.m. and when she called him he told her he was at the gym, something Jess testified was unusual because that particular gym was closed. Twitchell then said he was at different one, she said.
The next day the couple sent their daughter away for a night so they could go on a date, Jess testified. The following two days were spent enjoying Thanksgiving with their respective families, she added.
Friends concerned
Several of Johnny Altinger's friends also took the stand Tuesday and relayed how they became worried about their friend and brought their concerns to police.
Long-time friend Dale Smith said he spoke with Altinger on Oct. 10 and was told his friend was planning to meet up later that night with a woman he had met through a dating website.
Altinger did not have the woman's address, but was following directions. Smith said he asked him to call him when he arrived and provide the address.
When Altinger called he said the woman wasn't at the garage when he arrived. Smith said Altinger later emailed and said he was going back because the woman had returned.
Smith testified it was the last he heard from Altinger, who was supposed to meet him on Oct. 12 to go on a motorcycle ride, missed plans he described as unusual.
He received an email on Oct. 13, apparently from Altinger, that said he had met a nice woman and was heading to Costa Rice for a three-month visit.
Smith said the email made little sense and instantly did not believe it was really from Altinger.
"I know John. He doesn't like warm places," he testified. "He lived in Hawaii once and he doesn't like the heat."
Movie help
The jury also heard from several people who worked with Twitchell on the amateur films he produced and wrote.
One of them, House of Cards, was shot in the same garage where police allege the murder took place. The script has been entered in as evidence.
David Puff, an acquaintance of Twitchell's who worked as director of photography, laid out the general details of the film, which saw a married man commence an affair through an online dating site. When the man arrives on his date he is attacked, tortured and killed by a masked killer.
Puff described the process of shooting the film and said there were several people helping create the movie. The film was turned over to Twitchell and Puff said he hasn't seen it since.
The jury also saw an email Twitchell's friends received on Oct. 23, purportedly from him, which advised against speaking to the police.
"You all have a right to silence and you should exercise that right," read the email. "I have been screwed around with and I don't appreciate it so it is time to stop this and make them do their own jobs."
Twitchell, who kept his head down as most of the forensic evidence was entered last week, has seemed more engaged in court proceedings this week, focusing intently on witness testimony, especially that of his ex-wife.
