A woman who witnessed the fatal shooting of an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer took the stand at a trial for two people charged with first degree murder in the death of Const. Greg Pierzchala.
Veronica Tobicoe was called as a witness at the trial of Randall McKenzie and Brandi Stewart-Sperry.
She described to the court how she witnessed the shooting and then the shooter stole her truck to flee the area.
The jury has heard that later during the trial they will see that the vehicle was captured on various pieces of video, driving at high speeds through Hagersville, Ont. and then to an address in Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, where the vehicle eventually was found.
During Tobicoe’s testimony, court was shown footage from Pierzchala’s body camera. In it, Pierzchala can be seen getting out of his vehicle, notepad in hand, as he arrived at the scene of a vehicle in a ditch near Indian Line and Concession 14 near Hagersville, Ont.
Pierzchala told those present he was recording on his body camera.
He can be heard saying, “I’m just trying to figure out what happened – “ before a shot rings out.
Pierzchala was 28-years-old at the time he was shot while in the line of duty on Dec. 27, 2022.
He had just successfully completed his probationary period with Haldimand County OPP.
The crown has told the jury that the autopsy revealed Pierzchala was shot six times.
The Crown alleges McKenzie fired the gun and Stewart-Sperry intentionally aided in the murder. The first-degree murder charge is because Pierzchala was a police officer.
In court Friday, An agreed statement of facts was filed, indicating McKenzie knew he was wanted by police since July 15, 2022.
The statement of facts said he knew if he was arrested, he would go to jail and would not be released until his matter had made its way through court. Details were not provided as to what McKenzie was wanted for.
The trial is expected to last six or seven weeks.
