'Like a house of cards': Defence for accused in murder trial begin closing summations
A Windsor murder trial that started in February and heard from dozens of witnesses is coming to a close as defence lawyers for the accused kicked off their closing summations Thursday.
Tameko Vilneus, 28, Kyle Hanna, 29, and Keermaro Rolle, 26, are each charged with first-degree murder in the April 1, 2020, shooting death of 20-year-old Madisen Gingras.
Each defendant standing trial is represented by a different lawyer and while they’re all facing the same charge of first-degree murder, 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.
Christopher Hicks, the defence for Vilneus was first to offer summations, spending an hour speaking with the jury. He reminded the jury of his client’s presumption of innocence and that the burden of proof is on the Crown to prove his client’s guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt.
Hicks told the jury that finding his client guilty of murder would be a difficult task because of a lack of evidence connecting Vilneus to the murder of Madisen Gingras.
He also pointed to the crown’s key witness — Gingras’ boyfriend Reaume — noting his testimony was full of “contradictions, fabrications and inconsistencies” and yet the prosecution is resting its entire case on Reaume’s version of events the night of the murder and the months leading up to that fateful night.
“He was wonderfully unconcerned about lying under oath,” said Hicks, noting Reaume admitted numerous times on the stand for making false statements under oath during the preliminary hearing and to police.
Vilneus, Hicks said, testified before the jury not because he had to or because he had anything to prove.
“Mr. Vilneus’ testimony was truthful, compelling, persuasive and unshaken on cross examination,” said Hicks.
The story presented on the stand by Vilneus about what happened the night of the shooting was very different than the one offered up by Reaume earlier in the trial.
According to an agreed upon statement of facts, Reaume and Gingras were at a Windsor motel with Vilneus, Hanna and Rolle the night of the shooting.
Testimony from Reaume earlier in the trial alleged Keermaro Rolle was the one who shot Gingras, while Vilneus was also in the back seat of the car at the time of the shooting after they left the motel.
Vilneus tells a very different version of events, that neither he nor Rolle ever got into Reaume’s car, that they left the motel room separately.
“This is not a credibility contest between Mr. Reaume or Mr. Vilneus. You can’t choose one over the other,” said Hicks. “There’s no ‘choose this story or that story.’”
“You should put confidence in Vilneus’ story,” he said. “Tameko Vilneus did not shoot anyone.”
Next up was Harpreet Saini, the defence for Kyle Hanna.
He reminded the jury that the evidence from Jacob Reaume’s testimony may feel like a lifetime ago but said it was the pillar that shaped the Crown’s entire case against the three defendants.
“It Is less like a temple built on a solid foundation, more like a house of cards,” said Saini.
He pointed to the vast array of evidence presented from cell phone records to DNA, hearing from pathologists and forensic experts, seeing pictures and videos, calling it all important.
“But In the grand scheme of things, when you think about it, the case rises or falls on the word of Jacob Reaume,” said Saini. “You’re entitled to accept all, some or none of that evidence.”
“Even if you believe that evidence, you must acquit Kyle Hanna.”
On a number of occasions, Saini said it would be “dangerous” to convict Hanna on the strength of Reaume’s evidence, noting he was dishonest with police at the onset and it affected the investigation that followed.
“Mr. Reaume gave an entirely fictional version of events to police,” he said. “Officers were tasked to investigate based on the lies of Mr. Reaume… when Mr. Reaume was sending them off, he was sending them off on a wild goose chase.”
To the charge of first-degree murder, Saini reminded the jury that it must also find there was intent, something he argues will be very difficult.
“That’s where things will get a little more complicated and muddy. I suggest this is where the crown will be unable to prove its case,” said Saini, noting even in Reaume’s version of events, Hanna is not a major player and had no motive to harm Madisen Gingras.
“There is significant reasonable doubt,” he said. “I suggest you should find Mr. Kyle Hanna not-guilty.”
Frank Retar, the lawyer representing Keermaro Rolle, will deliver his closing summations Friday morning.
The crown will then get its final chance to address the jury before it begins deliberations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.