In the words of Justice Janet McMurtry to the final 12 jurors, it’s been a “long five weeks” in the first-degree murder trial for three men accused of killing Shawn Douglas.
The jury has been sequestered and deliberations are underway as the 12-person jury works to decide whether the three accused are guilty of Douglas’ murder.
Johnathon Peepeetch, Dennis Thompson and Joshua Wilson are charged with first degree murder in the death of the 54-year-old man.
Court heard from several witnesses throughout the past five weeks that Douglas was bound against his will, put into the trunk of a car, and beaten to death outside the city. The Crown’s theory is that Peepeetch, Thompson, and Wilson robbed Douglas of his cash and credit cards, unlawfully confined him and beat him with hammers in a bush near Zehner, Sask.
A cell-phone video entered into evidence during the trial captured several males walking between one vehicle and another outside a home on Quebec Street in Regina. The video captured what appeared to be a body being put into the trunk. It also shows what appeared to be a foot sticking out.
On Tuesday, Justice Janet McMurtry approved the media’s request to access the video for broadcast.
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Throughout the five-week trial, court heard from several witnesses that placed the three accused outside the house on Quebec St.
Aiden Anaquod testified to being at that location and helping put Douglas’ body into the trunk. Court heard Douglas had attempted to flee but was punched and unable to escape. Anaquod told court Peepeetch, Wilson and Thompson were all present when Douglas was put into the silver vehicle.
Justice McMurtry spent four hours delivering her charge to the jury, explaining the roadmap they must follow in reaching verdicts.
Despite being charged and tried together, jurors must independently render separate verdicts for each of the accused.
There are four possible considerations for each:
- Guilty of first-degree murder,
- Not guilty of first-degree murder,
- Not guilty of first-degree murder but guilty of lesser offence of second-degree murder
- Not guilty of first-degree murder but guilty of lesser offence of manslaughter
Justice McMurtry explained the Crown must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the three men unlawfully confined Douglas against his will, exhibited unlawful acts by way of assault, causing death. As well, the jury must decide if there was an intent to kill.
The jury is now sequestered, electronic devices removed, and outside communication cut off. There is no time limit on how long they can spend to reach a verdict.
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