Son questioned about gambling issues at Elfgard Oughtred’s second-degree murder trial

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Son testifies as stepmother faces second-degree murder charge

Elfgard Oughtred’s behaviour leading up to her husband’s death examined

Daughter testifies as mother faces second-degree murder trial

Elderly woman’s murder trial begins in Brantford

Gordon Oughtred’s son testified Wednesday at the second-degree murder trial of his stepmother.

The 82-year-old was found lying in a pool of blood inside the couple’s Brant County home on Nov. 24, 2022.

His wife, Elfgard Oughtred, was arrested two years later.

Warren Oughtred told the court Gordon was not just his father, but also his business partner and neighbour. Both lived on the same property along Salt Springs Church Road. Warren said he farmed with his father and spoke to him every other day.

He described Gordon’s relationship with Elfgard as lacking in real warmth and connection.

Warren also testified about their marriage issues, specifically the conflict that arose over missing money and gambling.

Warren said six months before Gordon’s death, he saw Elfgard’s vehicle at the casino in Brantford. When he told his father what he saw, Gordon reportedly told his wife that if she went back to the casino, she should pack her bags and go live there.

Warren testified that during the week of Gordon’s death, said he saw Elfgard’s Jeep back at the casino.

Two days before Gordon’s death, Warren urged his father to check his bank statements.

Gordon said he didn’t get bank statements, but Warren told him they should be mailed to the house. He said he told his father, “If there are a few thousand dollars missing, you might have a problem.”

Warren said he did not see his father check his bank statements or speak to Elfgard about her visits to the casino.

During cross examination, the defence asked Warren about a police interview where he said, “Whoever dies first, the other gets the farm,” in relation to the business partnership he had with his father.

Evidence presented in court

On Thursday, the jury was shown a timeline of Elfgard’s movements on the day of Gordon’s death.

Her orange Jeep was seen on various security cameras, travelling from Cockshutt Road to Erie Avenue and pulling into the parking lot of a Brantford casino around 11:32 a.m.

Elfgard, who was 79 years old at the time, was also spotted inside the building.

Half an hour later, at 12:05 p.m., cameras caught her Jeep leaving the casino’s parking lot.

Elfgard was then seen shopping inside a FreshCo grocery store.

By 12:19 p.m., the Jeep was travelling east on Colborne Street.

That would have been the same route she would have taken to return her home on Salt Springs Church Road.

What the jury has heard so far

One of the first witnesses to take stand was the couple’s long-time neighbour James McLellan.

He said Elfgard came to his home on Nov. 24, 2022, and told him Gordon had fallen down. When he arrived at the Oughtred home he found the 82-year-old lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor. McLellan described Gordon’s head as looking “distorted.”

A paramedic who responded to the 911 call also testified. Andrew Oliva said there were large wounds on the side of Gordon’s head, as well as cuts on his face and a black eye. He also noted there were “copious” amount of blood at the scene. When questioned about Gordon’s health, Oliva said Elfgard denied any history of alcoholism.

Elfgard’s daughter from a previous marriage was called to the stand on Wednesday. Rita Huellemann described a conversation she had with her mother three weeks after her arrest where Elfgard allegedly said she was “tired of Gordon’s drinking” and also claimed “he hit her.”

“She was fed up,” Huellemann recalled her mother saying. “She went to the garage and got a hammer… and came and hit him.”

On Thursday, Gordon’s first wife testified. Joan Thack said she saw Elfgard drive past her house around 9:15 a.m. on the day Gordon died.

Next to take the stand was Valerie Thorton, an analyst with Ontario Provincial Police. She presented the security video evidence of Elfgard’s movements on Nov. 24, 2022.

Thorton also explained that, in the six months leading up to Gordon’s death, nearly $9,000 was withdrawn in cash and credit card advances from Elfgard’s bank account. She testified that statements from the bank showed purchases and withdrawals from Elements Casino in Brantford.

The trial will continue on Thursday.