ESTEVAN, Sask. — The second-degree murder trial of Taylor Morgan Japp has moved onto the next stage.
The defence had its first witness testimony on Sept. 24. The prosecution had rested its case on Sept. 21.
Japp is charged with second-degree murder in the April 2024 death of Briana Hayes. Both were residents of Oxbow.
The trial, which started on Sept. 2, is scheduled to continue until Oct. 9.
More to come.
Background: On April 24, 2024, the Carlyle RCMP received a report of a possible homicide. The Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit took control of the investigation. Hayes' body was found the following day in a rural location in the RM of Moose Mountain.
The second-degree murder charge against Japp was announced on April 26. He was eventually released from custody with conditions.
He has made numerous appearances in Provincial Court and the Court of King’s Bench. A preliminary hearing was held in June 2025 in Carlyle to determine whether there was enough evidence to send Japp’s case to trial.
A co-accused was charged with accessory to murder after the fact. His charge was stayed after his death in the summer of 2025. The defence began its case Sept. 24 by playing a video from the man's interview with police after he was arrested. Earlier in the trial, his testimony from Japp's preliminary hearing was played.
SaskToday will continue to monitor this story.
