Urbaniak pleads guilty to second degree murder

By MorinvilleNews.com Staff

Edmonton – Morinville resident James Urbaniak made an appearance in Queen’s Bench Court in Edmonton Thursday, pleading guilty to second degree murder for the Apr. 29, 2009 murder of his common-law wife Jessica Martel.

RCMP found Martel’s body in the home the couple shared. Urbaniak was in the home at the time of discovery and taken to hospital with injuries that have as yet been revealed by police.

Urbaniak, 30, was charged with Martel’s murder May 5, 2009 and been in custody since that time, was set to begin trial on Oct. 18.

Corporal Jason Zazulak with the Morinville RCMP Detachment said no date has been set for Urbaniak’s sentencing. It is anticipated he will be sentenced before the end of the year.

Martel, who was 26 at the time of her death, was employed at Friend’s and Neighbours Restaurant in Morinville. The local business took up a collection to help support Martel’s two children.

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