Guilty plea expected from Ontario nurse

WETTLAUFER FACES EIGHT FIRSTDEGREE MURDER CHARGES

The Canadian Press has learned that a former Ontario nurse accused of killing eight seniors in her care is expected to plead guilty to firstdegree murder charges in their deaths at a court appearance today.

Elizabeth Wettlaufer currently faces a total of 14 charges, including eight counts of firstdegree murder, four counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Police have alleged those crimes involved the use of certain drugs and took place over the last decade in three Ontario long-term care facilities where Wettlaufer worked as a registered nurse, and at a private home.

A source close to the case tells The Canadian Press that Wettlaufer is scheduled to plead guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder in a Woodstock, Ont., court today.

The source says an agreed statement of facts and a video of Wettlaufer confessing is expected to be filed in court.

Wettlaufer’s defence lawyer did not respond to requests for comment on the expected development.

A spokeswoman with Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General said “significant developments” are expected in the case today, but did not provide further details.

Sgt. Dave Rektor of the Ontario Provincial Police, one of the forces involved in the multijurisdictional investigation, declined comment.