Murder trial starts for man accused of shooting a Saskatoon mother

Watch above: the trial for a second man accused in the shooting death of a Saskatoon mother is underway

SASKATOON – The trial for a second man accused of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Lorry Santos got underway at Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatoon on Monday.

Randy O’Hagan, 24, of Edmonton, Alta., who pleaded not guilty, is believed to be part of an Alberta Street gang known as the “White Boy Posse.”

At the time of his arrest, police agencies believed Santos was killed by mistake after O’Hagan and his two co-accused targeted the wrong address. Police also believed the incident was the result of cross-border drug dealing and organized crime.

The first witness to take the stand was Lorry Santos’ husband Ferdinand Santos.

He testified that on the morning of Sept. 12, 2012, he heard a series of gunshots, a pause, followed by more gunshots as he stood in the master bathroom of their Westview neighbourhood home.

He found Lorry, who moments before was playing with their newborn baby in bed, lying in the hallway in the arms of their youngest daughter as their oldest daughter called 9-1-1.

It would be the last time Ferdinand would see his wife alive. The 34-year-old mother was transported to hospital to where she was pronounced dead.

During his testimony, family and friends sat teary eyed in court and remained quiet during a break.

Court also heard from Sgt. Sharon Blomquist with the Saskatoon Police Service forensic identification unit.

Blomquist walked the courtroom through countless crime scene photos taken at the Santos home, including more than a handful of shell casings found outside.

Three weeks have been set aside for the trial.

This is the second of three trials in connection to Santos’ murder. Three men were arrested in late 2012 and charged after the mother of four was shot at her home on the morning of Sept. 12, 2012.

O’Hagan is also charged with the first-degree murder in the death of Bryan Grower, 35, whose body was found on a rural road near Kitscoty, Alta. on Sept. 25, 2012.