Murder trial nears end

Photo: Nicholas Johansen

Daniel Ruff is facing second-degree murder charges for the death of his roommate in 2015.

The jury in Daniel Ruff's second-degree murder trial is expected to begin deliberations Monday, after Crown and defence wrapped up their cases Wednesday.

Ruff, 65, is accused of hitting his roommate of 15 months in the head with a hammer, as 51-year-old Warren Welters lay passed out in his bed.

On Wednesday, Ruff took the stand in his own defence and admitted to killing Welters, but said it was in self defence, after Welters attacked him.

While Ruff says the two mostly got along, in the months leading up to Welters' death, they had begun fighting more and more about bills.

After two and a half weeks of the Crown's case, Ruff was the only witness to testify for the defence.

On Monday, Crown and defence are expected to give their closing arguments to the jury, after which the jury will be sequestered for deliberation.