David Quirke pleads guilty to manslaughter for Cookstown Road slaying

CBC
·1 min read
David Quirke in Supreme Court in St. John's on Feb. 19, 2024. (Malone Mullin/CBC - image credit)
David Quirke in Supreme Court in St. John's on Feb. 19, 2024. (Malone Mullin/CBC - image credit)
David Quirke in Supreme Court in St. John's on Feb. 19, 2024.
David Quirke in Supreme Court in St. John's on Feb. 19, 2024.

David Quirke has entered a last-minute guilty plea in connection with the death of Rayna Dove in 2021. (Malone Mullin/CBC)

Dozens of prospective jurors who had arrived at Supreme Court for a murder trial were sent home Monday morning after David Quirke decided to enter a last-minute guilty plea.

Quirke is pleading guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of Rayna Dove, 42, in a for-profit rooming house in downtown St. John's in December 2021.

Quirke had been charged with second-degree murder for the Cookstown Road slaying.

The facts of the case are so far scarce. On the day of her death, Dove was found bleeding by police and died at the scene; Quirke remained at the house and was there when police arrived. He was taken into custody and charged.

Quirke was released Monday on conditions. His sentencing hearing is May 29, when lawyers will submit their agreed statement of facts about the circumstances that led to Dove's death.

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