Holly Hamilton’s sister takes the stand in second-degree murder trial

Holly Hamilton’s sister took the stand on Tuesday in the second-degree murder trial of Justin Dumpfrey.

Dumpfrey is accused of killing Hamilton nearly four years ago.

Hamilton’s sister Stacie told the court the 29-year-old woman was being bombarded with texts and phone calls from Dumpfrey, her ex-boyfriend and the father of her child.

She said Dumpfrey wanted to see his child but Hamilton felt it was a manipulation tactic.

According to an agreed statement of facts, there was a history of domestic violence committed by Dumpfrey in the past including an incident in 2014 where he pleaded guilty to assaulting Hamilton while she was three months pregnant.

Stacie told the court the last time she saw her sister- who she lived with- was the evening of Jan. 14 when Hamilton said she and her child were going to visit a friend.

When Hamilton and her child did not return the following morning, Stacie started to worry.

She went to Hamilton’s mother’s house that evening and called the police.

Stacie said there was a knock at the door and the child had been dropped off wearing a new jacket and carrying toys. She said Dumpfrey took off and her niece “was terrified.”

Days later, Hamilton’s body was found in the truck of her work vehicle in an underground parking lot on Barton St.

The court heard her body was frozen and she had 17 stab wounds to the face, neck, and torso.

The trial is set to continue Wednesday.

RELATED STORY: Jury selection begins in trial of man accused of killing Holly Hamilton