A key witness at the trial of a man accused of murdering four people has admitted she lied to police.

The former common law wife of Charles Kembo has told a BC Supreme Court jury she lied about buying a hockey bag and rope from Canadian Tire shortly before one of the victims was found in a hockey bag by the Massey Tunnel.

Genevieve Camara broke down as she said Kembo threatened "if you say anything, you know you're going to jail."

Her testimony is key because she's told the jury she recognizes Kembo's handwriting on dozens of cheques and forms in some of the victim's names.

The crown says Kembo profited by taking over the identities of his four alleged victims.