Rafferty trial to hear about accused's ties to area where Tori was killed

Michael Rafferty leaves court in the back of a police cruiser on March 14, 2012. CITYNEWS.

The trial of a man accused of killing Victoria Stafford is expected to hear more evidence Tuesday about his ties to the area where the eight-year-old girl's remains were found.

Tori was killed on April 8, 2009, but her remains went undiscovered for months under rocks in a corner of a remote farmer's field southeast of Mount Forest, Ont.

The area is more than 100 kilometres from where the Grade 3 student was abducted outside her school in Woodstock, Ont.

Michael Rafferty, 31, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping.

His ex-girlfriend, Terri-Lynne McClintic, 21, is already serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in Tori's death.

Court has heard that Rafferty went to middle school in the area and worked as a landscaper at a landfill less than five kilometres away from where Tori was killed.