A man serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 2009 murders of two Langley residents has been cited for contempt after refusing to testify against his co-accused.

Roy Michael Thielen was called as a witness Wednesday at the trial of Robert David Bradshaw, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of 36-year-old Laura Lamoureux and 33-year-old Marc Bontkes.

Thielen pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the killings and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years.

Before a jury in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, Thielen refused to be sworn in as a witness. He told Justice Bruce Greyell that he was in court "unwillingly" and said he was going to remain silent.

"I am aware of my actions and their consequences," Thielen said, adding that he had consulted a lawyer.

Greyell advised Thielen that he could be cited for contempt of court for refusing to provide evidence. Greyell emphasized that there could be "particularly serious consequences" for Thielen.

When Thielen stood firm, Greyell cited him. Later this month, Thielen will set a date for a hearing at which he will have to show why he should not be punished.

It is alleged that on March 14, 2009, Bradshaw arranged a meeting with Lamoureux and brought along Thielen.

Bradshaw allegedly drove Thielen to the meeting spot, at the corner of 202A Street and 50th Avenue in Langley, where he got out and waited for Lamoureux.

When she arrived shortly before 5 a.m., Thielen shot her a number of times before getting into the car with Bradshaw and driving away.

Five days later, Bradshaw and Thielen allegedly orchestrated the death of Bontkes.

Michelle Motola, Bradshaw's girlfriend and a close friend of Thielen, dropped them at Hi-Knoll Park in Surrey and then went to Bontkes's home to lure him to his death.

Shortly after they arrived at the park around 3: 30 a.m., Bontkes got out of the vehicle and was shot a number of times.

It is alleged that Bradshaw pulled the trigger, using the same gun that had killed Lamoureux.

Both murders were linked to the street-level drug trade, according to prosecutors.

Motola, who was 17 at the time of Bontkes's murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced as an adult in April to six years in prison.

The trial continues.

- Jennifer Saltman is a reporter for the Vancouver Province