The preliminary inquiry is underway for a young man accused of killing a woman in a downtown St. John’s boarding house.

21-year-old David Quirke is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 42-year-old Rayna Dove. The homicide occurred two days after Christmas in the multi-unit building on Cookstown Road.

The inquiry, set for three days, will determine if there’s enough evidence for Quirke to stand trial.

Much of that evidence, which is banned from publication at the preliminary inquiry stage, was presented this morning. It included audio and video from the scene that day, December 27, as well as witness accounts of what happened.

Some relatives of the victim, hearing and seeing those recordings for the first time, were overcome with emotion and had to leave the courtroom

Meanwhile, another St. John’s murder case continues to make its way through the courts.

27-year-old Sheldon Hibbs is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 68-year-old Michael King.

King’s body was found on a trail near Waterford Valley high school on May 30 of last year.

Police say there is a previous link between Hibbs and King but not connected to the homicide.

A decision on whether to proceed to the preliminary inquiry will be revealed in two weeks.