A high-profile trial in Saskatoon slated to run six weeks is moving along much faster than anticipated and is now expected to possibly conclude in under two-and-a-half weeks.
Witness after witness has taken the stand to testify at the Joshua Petrin trial at Court of Queen’s Bench. Petrin was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Lorry Santos on Sept. 12, 2012, along with two other men.
READ MORE: Former gang member considered ‘vital witness’ testifies at Joshua Petrin trial
On Friday, court heard from Petrin’s common-law partner at the time of the fatal shooting, who is now his ex-girlfriend but also the mother of his child.
Escorted into court by members of the Saskatoon Police Service tactical team, 24-year-old Karissa Dow testified to sharing a home with Petrin leading up to the fatal shooting of Santos and the months to follow.
She testified that Petrin was the boss of the White Boy Posse but that this aspect of their relationship was very much “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
Even so, Dow knew Petrin was angry when a member named “T.J.” took off suddenly in the spring of 2012 since “you get killed if you leave the gang.”
So when Petrin announced an unexpected trip to Saskatoon days after her birthday – which is why the date is so memorable – she figured “Petrin was out to get him.”
For two days, Petrin let gang members borrow her car – the same one described by police used during the murder. During Dow’s testimony, she said when the men returned the morning of Sept. 12, 2012, they quietly discussed things with Petrin.
Those men, including Randy O’Hagan, are now serving life sentences for the crime.
Dow also described how O’Hagan and the other man – protected by a publication ban – placed items of clothing they were wearing in a garbage bag in the trunk, a bag Dow said was tossed in the trash upon their return to Lloydminster.
When asked if she ever tried to end the relationship with Petrin, Dow said he refused to let her and beat her. She said she finally left when he was arrested for Santos’ murder in December 2012. One month later, she gave birth to their daughter.
“Mr. Petrin’s position remains that he is innocent of this and his position hasn’t changed in that regard,” Brian Pfefferle, Petrin’s lawyer, said.
“Certainly it’s our opinion that the individuals that were responsibility for this, many of them are already in custody and serving the time that they should be serving for the offences that they committed.”
During cross examination, Pfefferle questioned if Dow felt pressured by police to provide a statement and details about Petrin.
She testified that while her daughter was the most important thing in the world, the officers did not seem to have a personal interest in the case and were supportive when she felt threatened.
READ MORE: Trial begins for man accused in the killing of Saskatoon mother Lorry Santos
Dow admitted when she gave a statement to police in 2012, however, that she felt vulnerable knowing she was implicated in the shooting because her vehicle was believed to be used during the crime.
The final witness on Friday, Serena Lodoen, wept on the stand and testified to have provided O’Hagan with an address for her ex but instead of 203 Peterson Crescent, she texted 203 Peterson Terrance leading gang members to the wrong home and the Santos’ front door.
After court was adjourned, Lorry Santos’ sister Lindsay Schreiner flagged the media over and was visibly upset.
“That last witness got my sister killed,” Schreiner said.
Schreiner added that it was unfair that Lodoen now gets to go home and hug her little boy when Lorry’s children will never get the chance to do that again.
“I have a four-year-old nephew at home who will never know the feeling.”
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