The lawyer for a man accused of killing Victoria Stafford is telling the jury not to let the "unspeakable tragedy'' of what happened to the eight year old Woodstock girl overwhelm their deliberations.

Michael Rafferty's lawyer is telling the jury in his closing arguments that they must decide the case dispassionately and overlook his client's "moral flaws.''

Dirk Derstine is telling the jury they shouldn't believe the testimony of Terri-Lynne McClintic.

McClintic -- who has already pleaded guilty to first degree murder in the case -- testified at Rafferty's trial that she abducted Tori, then Rafferty raped the girl, and then she killed her at a field just south of Mount Forest.

The testimony marks a change from what she told police for years -- that Rafferty was the one who killed Tori with a hammer -- but Derstine says that part of her story should be believed.

The 31 year old Rafferty has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping.

Rafferty's mother -- Deborah Murphy -- arrived at the London courthouse Monday morning to listen to the closing arguments.

It was her first appearance at the trial.