Two young men charged with killing bystander John O’Keefe two years ago have been found guilty.
Awet Zekarias, 25, hung his head as the jury found him guilty of manslaughter; Edward Paredes, 24, closed his eyes and shook his head as the jury affirmed his guilt on the higher charge of second-degree murder.
"While our family is relieved that the trial is over, all of our lives are changed forever," the O’Keefe family said in a statement issued shortly after today’s verdict.
"There is a huge void, as we miss John very much — his wonderful sense of humour, his hearty laugh and his love, kindness and compassion for others."
Family members of Paredes and Zekarias cried and hugged one another outside court, clearly distressed by the trial’s outcome.
They have been a constant presence in the courtroom for the duration, coming daily in large groups.
The case will return to court July 5 for sentencing.
Paredes will automatically receive life in prison; most jurors recommended parole after 10 years, but that decision rests with Justice Mary Lou Benotto. Zekarias faces a maximum term of life.
Detective Sergeant Dan Nielsen, who led the investigation, said he believed justice was served.
"I think that the jury deliberated long and hard and they took their job very seriously, and I think they rendered a fair and proper verdict in this case," he said, noting the family is satisfied with the outcome and hoping to find closure.
Det. Sgt. Nielsen was flanked by Mr. O’Keefe’s parents, Gwen and John Sr., and his sister, Jennifer.
Mr. O’Keefe, a 42-year-old father, was struck by a stray bullet in front of the downtown Brass Rail strip club in the early morning hours of Jan. 12, 2008.
During weeks of testimony, the jury heard details of a dispute that spilled out of the club and ended in gunfire, as a furious Paredes pulled a concealed weapon from
his jacket and fired a single shot up Yonge Street.
Clad in flannel and jeans and carrying a boxed blender, Mr. O’Keefe knew nothing of the dispute as he unwittingly stepped into the path of the gunfire, the court heard.
The 42-year-old fell like a stone as the bullet pierced his brain; he died instantly.
Crown attorney Hank Goody called Mr. O’Keefe’s death the culmination of “needless anger, a loaded firearm and a senseless act of violence.”
Paredes admitted from the outset he fired the fatal bullet, but the trial centered on the question of intent. The Crown theorized that Paredes acted upon the repeated urging of Zekarias, who told his friend to “pull the gat” and “smoke these fools,” according to witness testimony.
Both of the accused denied the allegation, claiming Paredes acted alone in a moment of fury and did not intend to harm anyone, but merely to frighten the club’s security staff.
The tragic saga began after the two young men, along with a few friends, chose to celebrate Zekarias’s birthday at the strip club.
The night seemed to start off well, with security footage showing a jovial Paredes chatting with Brass Rail staff, but it quickly took a downturn after the club’s manager asked the pair to leave, alleging bad behaviour.
The two were physically ejected from the club, Zekarias pushed out the door so hard he landed on his backside on Yonge Street. Paredes followed quickly afterward.
Both of the accused said one of the bouncers taunted them after their ejection; moments later, Paredes fired the fatal shot.
He told the court he “snapped” and wanted to show the bouncer “who you’re messing with.”
Paredes and Zekarias were arrested separately hours after the crime and charged with second-degree murder.
During the trial, both men testified on their own behalf, and expressed remorse at the outcome of their actions that night.
“I’m sorry for my part,” Zekarias said; “I blame myself,” a contrite Paredes admitted.
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