Surveillance footage under scrutiny in trial for Greg Slewidge's killing

A jury in Perth, Ont., is set to begin deliberating the fate of two men accused of killing Hells Angels recruit Greg Slewidge in nearby Beckwith Township more than four years ago.

Crown prosecutors allege Michael Clairoux and Lee Marazzo planned and carried out the killing of the 39-year-old at a legal marijuana grow-op on Sept. 24, 2020.

They were each charged with first-degree murder in January 2022 and have pleaded not guilty.

The court case has centred on high-definition surveillance footage and conflicting narratives over who is seen in those videos. 

The Crown said during closing arguments this week the two men surprised Slewidge, who was set to become a full-patch Hells Angels member the next week. They allegedly used a rope to strangle him and left his body with a knife in the back. 

Prosecutors say the men were hired by a member of the Red Devils Motorcycle Club, a known affiliate of the Hells Angels, following a dispute over car repairs. 

The accused believed surveillance cameras that captured two masked men entering the property weren't functional, according to the Crown.

Prosecutors claim the clothing, actions and other details match Clairoux and Marazzo.

Those lawyers also pointed to evidence including DNA traces, a Cadillac associated with Marazzo, social media images of Clairoux wearing a distinctive hat similar to one seen in the footage and a key used to access the property seen on Clairoux's keychain.

They claim Clairoux and Marazzo's actions were calculated and a "cowardly ambush."

Defence questions strength of evidence

Defence lawyers maintain there isn't strong enough evidence to convict. 

Lawyers for both of the accused have questioned the reliability of the surveillance footage and the identification of their clients. 

They emphasized during closing arguments that the masked people on the video cannot be linked to the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. They said it isn't clear the men identified as their clients had the same stature, hairlines, body markings and other traits. 

They also argue intercepted calls, messages, forensics and other evidence fail to place Clairoux or Marazzo at the scene at the time of the murder.

As for the key, Clairoux's lawyer Diane Magas said it was likely provided by someone else, whose identity remains unknown, to the killers. 

"Someone else set him up to be the fall guy," she said. "That's our theory."

During closing submissions, prosecutor Mathew Humphreys acknowledged it is reasonable to believe others may have been involved in planning the crime. 

The Crown's theory is that a third person, who has not been charged, directed the hit on Slewidge. 

But Humphreys maintained the jury didn't need to know everyone involved to convict the two accused and the evidence overwhelmingly shows Clairoux and Marazzo committed the crime. 

Over to the jury

Slewidge's family, including his father Lyndon — a former Ontario Provincial Police officer and well-known Ottawa Senators anthem singer — attended the final arguments.

Extra security is in place for the proceedings: the courtroom is guarded by police and everyone entering is searched, for example.

The victim and accused have supporters in the room, leading to a tense atmosphere during portions of closing arguments.

Starting Wednesday morning, the jury is expected to begin considering whether the evidence and arguments prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the men face life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.