Bonnell told the Miramichi courtroom he woke up on Sept. 5, 2009, in his truck, which was parked at his father's garage in Tabusintac, to find Hilary slumped over in the passenger seat unresponsive.
Bonnell said he didn't know who it was at first so he got out of truck, opened the passenger door and Hilary started to fall out.
He thought she was passed out from drinking, but when he grabbed her arm, it was rigid and she had no colour in her face.
He started to panic, he said. "What am I going to do? Nobody's going to believe me.
"I just got out of jail. Nobody's going to believe an Indian.