Defence lawyers calling for acquittals or convictions on lesser charges in Regina's 3-man murder trial

A lawyer for one of three men on trial for the alleged first-degree murder of Reno Lee says her client was just a "bottom feeder drug dealer" — not a drug boss who ordered others to kill. 

Jasper also questioned the reliability of the witnesses during closing arguments Monday afternoon.

"Each and every one of them had a very big bag of reasons to lie," she said about the witnesses.

Gordon, Daniel Theodore and Andrew Bellegarde pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges and not guilty to charges of committing an indignity to a human body in connection with the death. 

Defence highlights reasonable doubt

Jasper highlighted reasonable doubt, saying the law is committed to making sure the innocent aren't convicted.

Gordon testified in his own defence, telling the court how he did not know what was going to happen with Lee, and that he only met up with Lee to broker a drug partnership.

Gordon had allegedly texted one of the witnesses, telling that person to go to the Garnet Street home where Lee was killed to work off a drug debt. The witness was high at the time and was an addict, causing Jasper to further question their reliability.

Jasper also said that Gordon wasn't covering up a murder scene when he paid people to clean the home where Lee was shot and dismembered; he may have been covering up a kidnapping instead.

TV, money were not payment for killing: lawyer

Testimony earlier in the trial indicated that Lee went to Gordon's apartment to smoke meth and broker a partnership. It's at Gordon's apartment that Lee was allegedly beaten and confined against his will before being taken to the Garnet Street home. 

Jasper said it wouldn't make sense for Gordon to organize a killing that started at his own home, while he was being electronically monitored with an ankle bracelet. When Gordon sent drugs to the home where Lee was killed, it's because he was trying to make money rather than it being a continuation of his involvement, she said.

Regarding a TV and money that Gordon gave Bellegarde after Lee's death, along with a compliment, Jasper said it was possible that Gordon was trying to cheer up Bellegarde, not complimenting him on a well-executed murder. 

Defence lawyers points to contradictions, drugs

Bellegarde's lawyer, Mike Buchinski, argued that if his client is convicted, a manslaughter conviction would be more appropriate than first-degree murder because he said Bellegarde was not involved in planning the events of that night.

Earlier in the trial, witness testimony indicated that Bellegarde was "earning" a patch in the Indian Mafia gang. Buchinski said that made no sense as Bellegarde was second in command. Only Bellegarde's brother placed higher in the gang hierarchy.

Buchinski described the scene at the Garnet Street home as "an orgy of drug use" on the night of Lee's death, adding that multiple people in the home were high on some type of drug at the time. The court also heard how crack, crystal meth and fentanyl were sold out of the house. 

He questioned the reliability of some witness testimony during closing arguments.

Buchinski said the testimony from two witnesses — who cannot be named due to a publication ban —  was contradictory. One of the witnesses said they had seen Bellegarde on the night Lee was killed, while the other said they did not.

Buchinksi said another witness said they had been awoken by the sound of a single gunshot. Lee died from two gunshots to the head. 

Defence lawyer points to other accused

George Combe, Theodore's defence lawyer, also spent the first part of his closing arguments questioning the credibility of the witnesses, who he said were motivated to come forward due to self interest.

He said all four, who cannot be named, are "self-admitted drug addicts," who testified how high they were in the hours surrounding Lee's death. He reminded the jury that witnesses said they were wired, paranoid and pacing back and forth that night.

"Consider what they're seeing, consider what they're doing, consider the time frames and consider if they are alive to what exactly is going on," Combe said.

​Theodore's lawyer then went on to point a finger at Gordon, who he said is the common denominator between everyone involved.

Combe said while testifying, Gordon was trying to put the blame on Theodore and an unnamed witness.

Gordon and Bellegarde had a close connection, according to Combe, and had done business in the past. Combe also asked the jury to consider the alleged discussion of a payment from Gordon to Bellegarde the day after Lee's death.

Lawyer says lack of evidence points to innocence

Combe said Theodore concedes that he participated in unlawful confinement, but said there is no direct evidence that he shot and killed Lee, or even assaulted him, and therefore is presumed innocent.

He said there is evidence that Theodore did transport Lee to the place he was confined, and several witnesses testified that he asked for duct tape during that time. Combe said there is no evidence of Theodore controlling anything aside from those requests.

Combe showed the jury the saw found as evidence in the dismemberment of Lee. He said Lee's dismembered body was moved out of basement in a hockey bag, but questions still remain about how the saw, cleaver and knife got into the basement. While one witness suggested Theodore was wearing a backpack, Combe said the saw couldn't have fit in a backpack.

Court was adjourned Monday afternoon and will continue with Combe's closing remarks Tuesday morning.