‘I wasn’t really thinking’: accused testifies at murder trial

“He wasn’t normal” _{– Jean Nateweyes}

While walking down a back alley, Morin met the 60-year-old, who had just returned from a trip to the grocery store. With respect to the next chain of events, Morin recalled twice asking Maxemiuk for a cigarette.

“He told me to get off the property and walked away,” Morin said.

Acknowledging he was “pretty high” at the time, Morin said he then thought he heard Maxemiuk utter a swear word. At this point Morin said he turned back and hit Maxemiuk who fell to the ground. Morin then proceeded to stomp on him. According to the evidence heard in court last week, the entire assault lasted about a minute.

When Maxemiuk stopped moving, Morin described how he checked his victim’s pockets before continuing on his way. Upon his arrest later that day, police would find in Morin’s possession four of Maxemiuk’s credits cards.

“I wasn’t really thinking,” Morin replied, when asked by his lawyer Michael Nolin what he was thinking at the time of the attack.

After the assault, Morin took a cab to Georgie’s Cold Beer and Wine Store where he purchased a bottle of vodka.

Although he could recall going to his sister’s house and having a nap after, Morin could not recall much else from the day, explaining how his memory was “hazy” and he “blacked out” from all the drinking. When asked what he had to eat that day, Morin could only recall the meal he had after being arrested.

Among the Maxemiuk family members in court Monday was the victim’s sister Violet who clutched a framed photo of her brother. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The other witnesses

The defence’s first witness on Monday was Celina Morin, who recalled her younger brother had come to her house (where he was also staying), needing help getting a cab. While Celina could not recall the exact time her brother showed up, she said it was early in the afternoon and he was drunk.

“He wasn’t himself,” she said.

Also recalling that her brother was holding a bottle of vodka, Celina explained how she did not have a phone and so went next door to her neighbour’s house (her cousin) to call her brother a taxi. Kenny followed close behind and when the person with the phone refused to let him use it, Celina said her brother punched the man in the face.

That man was Jean Nateweyes, who also testified Monday. He had known Morin for a long time, and described Morin’s behaviour as unusual.

“He wasn’t normal,” he said, explaining he knew Morin did drugs, but also noted that the day prior he and Morin were shaking hands.

Morin was arrested later that day in connection to a separate assault complaint at the 7-11 store on Second Avenue West. The officers who assisted with the arrest testified he appeared sober, was responsive to directions, and was steady on his feet.

The trial has been scheduled to resume Tuesday afternoon, when Crown lawyer Kristen Hubbard will have an opportunity to cross examine Morin.

–

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

‘I wasn’t really thinking’: accused testifies at murder trial

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