Calgary woman charged with murdering two of her newborn babies pleads not guilty
Leah Hennel/Postmedia News filesMeredith Katharine Borowiec faces an attempted murder charge after a newborn baby was found in a Calgary dumpster on Oct. 19, 2010. However, Borowiec is now on trial over the earlier deaths of two other of her babies.
- CALGARY — Meredith Katharine Borowiec, the Calgary woman accused of killing two of her newborn babies, pleaded not guilty to two charges of second-degree murder on Monday.
After Borowiec entered her plea, legal wrangling forced the judge to adjourn the trial until Tuesday morning.
Borowiec, who is 31, was initially charged with attempted murder after a baby boy was found crying in a garbage bin in October, 2010.
A few months later, police laid two second-degree murder charges against Borowiec.
Investigators have said they believe she gave birth in 2008 and again in 2009, and that both babies died soon after they were born.
Crown prosecutor Jayme Williams said the delay was because there were two legal issues that must be dealt with before any evidence is called. She said one issue deals with disclosure.
“It appears (the defence) may be making an application with relation to legal advice,” said Williams.
“I can advise that Calgary Police Service is claiming their privilege with relation to this advice, and as such, it may be that they’ll wish to have counsel present with relation to that argument.”
Co-Crown Darren Maloney said the other issue that was raised at the pre-trial conference was a potential conflict with Williams, and the potential defence application of conflict relating to Williams.
Borowiec’s trial in font of a judge without a jury is scheduled to last six weeks.
She faces a separate trial on the attempted murder charge in November.
The story of the baby found in the garbage was especially gripping because the infant’s father played a part in the rescue, apparently not knowing the child was his.
The father, who told police he didn’t know his girlfriend was pregnant, was on his way home when he and other passersby heard crying coming from the trash bin.
They jumped in and found the infant in a garbage bag.
Police and paramedics were called and the baby was taken to hospital.
The child has recovered and is healthy.
Borowiec remains in custody.
- With files from Daryl Slade, Calgary Herald
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