The trial of Melody Sanford in the first degree murder of Canadian independent wrestler Ivan (John) Radocaj, who performed as "The Croatian Giant. Sanford is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Radocaj was beaten to death in September 2007 at the age of 43. Sanford and Radocaj were married for three brief weeks. Radocaj's family has claimed that Sanford had threatened Ivan's life several weeks prior to the murder and believed she had coerced him into the brief marriage to get her hands on an insurance settlement stemming from a car accident that left Radocaj with a broken neck.

Sanford claimed in interviews in 2008 she and Radocaj had reconciled before his death, something his family said they knew nothing about.

Several others have also been charged as well. Rita Louise Cushnie, a friend of Sanford, has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Cushnie is the mother of one of three men charged with first-degree murder in Radocaj's death, Donald Richard. Daniel and Timothy Richard were also charged in the murder. The latter has turned State's evidence in exchange for charges against him being dropped. Timothy is expected to testify that he attended several gatherings during the planning process of the crime.

Prosecutors claim that Sanford set up Radocaj's murder, inviting him out to dinner while the others broke into his home to await his return. When he returned, he was beaten to death with pipes and crowbars.

If convicted, Sanford faces 25 years in prison without any chance of parole.


Source: www.winnipegfreepress.com

A MANITOBA newlywed was allegedly marked for death by his wife in a murder-for-hire plot hatched shortly after they walked down the aisle.

Ivan Radocaj, 43, was beaten to death inside his Interlake home in September 2007.

Details of the killing of the former professional wrestler known as the "Croatian Giant" emerged publicly for the first time Monday at the start of a jury trial.

Radocaj's widow, Melody Sanford, is accused of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder. Four others face the same charges: Sanford's friend, Rita Cushnie, Cushnie's son, Donald Richard, family member Daniel Richard and another man, Christopher Houle.

Sanford, Cushnie and Donald Richard pleaded not guilty before Queen's Bench in Winnipeg.

Jurors were told Houle and Daniel Richard "are dealing with their matters in a separate proceeding" but given no further details.

Crown attorney Mark Kantor gave jurors a brief synopsis of the allegations in his opening statement.

He told jurors Sanford married Radocaj in June 2007, despite telling friends privately she didn't want to proceed with the union.

One of Sanford's friends is expected to testify that the woman began claiming Radocaj was "mistreating" her shortly after the ceremony and openly discussed her desire to "hire a hit man" to kill her new husband.

Kantor said a plan was eventually formed to do just that. Sanford agreed to take Radocaj out for dinner to a Teulon-area restaurant on the night of Sept. 12, 2007, while Houle, Donald Richard and Daniel Richard broke into his residence and waited for him to return home, jurors were told.

Radocaj was then allegedly attacked by the trio, who were armed with crowbars and metal pipes. Medical officials and crime-scene investigators testified Monday about a bloody and chaotic assault that left Radocaj suffering extensive trauma throughout his body. Despite his size, Radocaj appeared to be no match for his attackers.

One of the key Crown witnesses is expected to be Timothy Richard, a cousin of the two Richards who was present during some of the discussions about killing Radocaj, jurors were told.

"He attended a number of meetings where the other conspirators discussed plans for killing the deceased," Kantor said.

Jurors will also be shown videotaped police interviews with Sanford and Donald Richard, plus evidence seized from Sanford's home, which includes a notebook containing a diagram of Radocaj's home. Detailed phone records between the accused will also be entered as evidence, Kantor said.

Radocaj enjoyed a brief stint as a pro wrestler in the early 1980s under various ring names, including the Croatian Giant, Ivan the Giant and Big John Radocaj.

The trial is scheduled to last three weeks.

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