Calgary woman's slaying by previously convicted killer was first-degree murder, judge finds
Previously convicted killer Christopher Ward Dunlop left his Calgary home in the early hours of Feb. 16, 2023, with murder on his mind, a judge ruled Monday.
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In finding the Calgary man guilty of first-degree murder, Justice Colin Feasby not only ruled the death of sex-trade worker Judy Maer z was a planned and deliberate act, but also likely occurred in the course of a sexual assault.
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And Feasby said if Dunlop chose Maerz as his victim because he thought her vocation would make her less likely to be missed, his plan was flawed.
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'The police work … was thorough and reflects a significant investment of resources and commitment to uncovering the truth. CPS investigated the murder of Ms. Maerz with the same energy and determination that they would the murder of any other Calgarian. That is as it should be.'
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Dunlop served a 13-year term after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the killing of Furlan, whom he strangled while having sex with her at Deerfoot Athletic Park, the same location where he murdered Maerz.
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In that case, Dunlop told undercover officers 'he was angry and looking for someone who 'would not be missed.' '
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Feasby said it was unnecessary to conclude the similarities between the two crimes was evidence the Maerz murder was planned and deliberate.
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Instead, he said, Dunlop's conduct leading up to the brutal stabbing of Maerz shortly after 3 a.m. on Feb. 16, 2023, after he had picked her up on the Forest Lawn stroll and drove her to Deerfoot Athletic Park, was sufficient evidence to determine both planning and deliberation.
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That morning, Dunlop left his northeast Calgary home in his orange Dodge Ram pickup truck and drove to the Peter Lougheed Centre, where his wife worked, and took her orange Rav4 while leaving his own vehicle behind.
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