The final stretch of the Robert William Pickton trial began Monday morning in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster with the defence attacking the credibility of key Crown witnesses.
Robert William Pickton is on trial for the deaths of six women who went missing from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
(Jane Wolsak/Canadian Press)
The resumption of the 10-month trial after a break that began in mid-October was attended by a larger number of journalists, and family and friends of the victims, than had been seen in recent months.
Defence lawyer Adrian Brooks told the jury that they alone are in the best position to judge all the evidence. He then attacked the credibility of three key Crown witnesses, by saying they were from a criminal world where crack cocaine was used.
Brooks then singled out one key Crown witness, Scott Chubb, saying he lied numerous times during testimony and that the jury should dismiss all the testimony of liars.
Chubb is the person who tipped police about the presence of guns on the Pickton property in 2002 — information that led to a search of the farm, which within a few months uncovered human remains.
Previously, Chubb testified that Pickton said a syringe full of windshield wiper or radiator fluid could be injected to kill someone.
Brooks also told the jury the statements made to police by Pickton during an interrogation were not a confession.
During the trial, the Crown portrayed Pickton's comments, including statements that he got sloppy, as a confession to killing six women at his pig farm in Port Coquitlam.
However, Brooks says the comments were nothing like a confession.
He also urged the jury to keep an open mind, reminding them that if there is a reasonable doubt, they must acquit Pickton
The line-up for a seat in the public area began before 7 a.m. PT.
Brittney Frey, the daughter of one of the women Pickton is accused of murdering, said the 10-month trial has been enormously stressful.
Aboriginal women and activists also stood in front of the B.C. Supreme Court House in New Westminster, telling reporters life on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside hasn't improved despite the media spotlight on the troubled neighbourhood.
Pickton faces 6 charges in trial
Pickton, a pig farmer in Port Coquitlam, B.C., is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Wolfe, Marnie Frey and Georgina Papin.
Over the next three days, the 12-member jury is expected to hear from both the defence team and Crown prosecutors.
Vancouver lawyer Donna Turko, who's been watching the case, said the question of "reasonable doubt" is one that will likely be front and centre for the jurors.
"I think the jury will have to really focus on how much is really incriminating of Mr. Pickton, not just because he lives on the farm and therefore he must be responsible for that very reason," Turko told CBC News.
Partial remains of the six women were found on Pickton's farm, but the defence has argued there were many visitors to the location who had the opportunity to commit the killings.
During the trial, the Crown pointed to an 11-hour interrogation, when Pickton ultimately told police he had "one more planned" but "got sloppy" when it came to cleaning up blood.
Pickton is to face a second trial later on an additional 20 counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. He has pleaded not guilty to all 26 charges.
128 witnesses, hundreds of pieces of evidence
Jurors have heard from 128 witnesses and viewed hundreds of pieces of evidence.
An expert in jury studies said the jury has a huge responsibility but "they are waiting for this moment," said Dr. Gordon Rose, a psychology lecturer at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.
"This is the start of their job from their perspective, so everything that goes up before this is kind of getting in the way."
When the closing arguments begin, the jurors will likely be excited, nervous and probably a bit confused by the time closings are complete, Rose said.
Justice James Williams has said he'll likely take a full three days to instruct the jury.
The prosecution wrapped up its case in mid-August, followed by the defence in mid-October.
Related
Video
- Chris Brown reports for CBC-TV (Runs: 2:34)
- Play: Real Media »
- Play: QuickTime »
More Canada Headlines »
- PM praises Canadians' generosity in Christmas message
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper has sent his best wishes to citizens of the "greatest country in the world," citing the Afghan mission as an example of Canadian generosity.
- 4 die, 16 injured in separate Quebec accidents
- Four people died and 16 others were injured in separate road accidents across Quebec so far this holiday season.
- Body of Nova Scotia teen found
- The body of a 17-year-old Nova Scotia boy who was reported missing in mid-December has been found in Pictou County, police say. RCMP from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were involved in a search for the teen, who was last seen Dec. 16.
- Sentence reduced for Surrey man who abducted former boss's daughter
- A man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping the daughter of his former boss in Surrey, B.C., has had his sentence reduced by the B.C. Court of Appeal.
- Teen charged in Yellowknife Wal-Mart blaze
- Yellowknife RCMP have arrested a teenager in connection with a fire at the city's Wal-Mart on Dec. 15.
Canada Features
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles
Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - link will open in new window
