Five years ago, a Manitoba judge raised concerns about Thomas Brine.
Brine, 25, faces a charge of first-degree murder for the death of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lafantaisie.
Her body was found in the trunk of her vehicle on Feb. 24 on Lewis Street near River Avenue.
At the time of Lafantaisie's death, Brine was wanted on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault.
Court documents show Brine is a convicted car thief who has also done time for break and enters.
In January 2006, he was charged with uttering threats and assault after breaking into an ex-girlfriend's home.
In April of that year, he was caught breaking in through the roof of the Winnipeg Technical College, stealing televisions and laptops. The incident happened at the end of a five-month crime spree, during which he broke into more than a dozen cars, many from the college's parking lot.
During a videotaped police statement, Brine confessed to the crimes and blamed his actions on a crack cocaine addiction.
In a bail hearing in 2006, a judge raised concerns and denied Brine's release.
"The greatest risk to the public comes from Mr. Brine re-involving himself in his addiction, and then re-involving himself in the alleged behaviour that, if true, shows someone quite out of control," said Judge Sandhu.
Brine was later sent to Teen Challenge where the hope was he could get treatment for his drug addiction. But he didn't finish the program. He was charged for escaping custody--using a bed sheet to climb out this second story window.
- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley
