Defence concludes closing summations in Windsor murder trial
The defence has completed its closing summations in an ongoing Windsor murder trial involving the shooting death of 20-year-old Madisen Gingras in April of 2020.
The case, which has been before a jury since February, features three Kitchener men, Tameko Vilneus, 28, Kyle Hanna, 29, and Keermaro Rolle, 26. Each defendant is charged with first-degree and attempted murder in the April 1, 2020, shooting.
Each defendant is represented by a different lawyer and while they’re all facing the same charges, the verdicts in the case could possibly be different for each of them.
The three Kitchener men were drug suppliers to Jacob Reaume, a local dealer of crystal meth and fentanyl. Gingras was dating Reaume when she was fatally shot in the back of the head in Reaume’s vehicle on Northwood Drive in South Windsor.
On Friday, The jury heard closing summations from Frank Retar who is representing Rolle. The day prior, two defence lawyers representing Vilneus and Hanna wrapped up their summations.
In his statements, Retar reminded the jury of its need to judge the case on the strength of the facts.
Picking up where the other defence lawyers left off, Retar called into question the reliability and credibility of the crown’s key witness, Jacob Reaume.
When offering his testimony a number of months ago, Reaume alleged there was a heated interaction at a Huron Church motel, involving him and Gingras and the three accused.
During that interaction, Reaume alleges he was choked, zip-tied and threatened with a gun by the accused in a game of Russian roulette.
He then alleged he and Gingras were directed to go to his car and drive, with Rolle and Vilneus getting into the back seat.
During testimony, Reaume pointed at Rolle as the person who shot Madisen in the back of the head and him in the arm.
But in his summation Friday, Retar told the jury: “Just because they say it happened is not necessarily the way it happened.”
“You have to scrutinize that evidence with caution.”
Retar told the jury to look instead at the physical evidence in the case, pointing to the absence of Rolle and Vilneus’ DNA in the back-seat of the car.
Retar said the science should “leave them with reasonable doubt,” that they should “take comfort in the science.”
Retar’s closing summation lasted the entire day, where he pointed to a number of other inconsistencies between the physical evidence and Reaume’s testimony.
Throughout his remarks, Retar continued to go after Jacob Reaume’s credibility, suggesting he misled police and lied under oath numerous times, calling his evidence “dangerous.”
“He completely controlled and directed the investigation of the Windsor Police,” said Retar. “And in fact, it’s my respectful submission that the evidence of Jacob Reaume was an insult to the fact-finding process.”
The crown will deliver its closing summation on Monday and after that, the jury will receive final instructions from Justice Maria Carrocia and be charged and sequestered until they reach a verdict.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.