Dennis Oland leaving court on lst day of the trial (Photo Credit: Kevin Worrell)
The fate of Dennis Oland is now in the hands of Justice Terrence Morrison. On Thursday both the defence and the Crown gave their oral closing arguments for his second-degree murder trial. Allan Gold for the Defence and P.J. Veniot for the Crown.
Gold wraps up his closing by saying evidence points to Dennis Olands’ innocence. The noises heard, the pattern of noises suggesting the killing of Richard Oland. Alcohol in Richards urine and a foot impression near his bloody head that did not match any footwear of Dennis Oland
— Kevin Worrell (@kevinhworrell) May 9, 2019
Morrison asked a few questions of defence lead Allan Gold but seemed to have a lot more for the Crown’s PJ Veniot.
Veniot says no evidence Richard Oland left his office that day, no PC interacted after accused arrived. Richard Oland never responded to text messages or phone calls. His cell pinged off Rothesay tower around 6:44 pm. This all suggests his murder occured before 6:44 pm.
— Kevin Worrell (@kevinhworrell) May 9, 2019
The Crown’s P.J. Veniot said a factor in the murder was Dennis’s dire financial position.
Justice Morrison asked “Where is the financial benefit to killing his father? he was not a beneficiary.”
Morrison asked him “Does the Crown contend the murder of Richard Oland occurred on the third visit by Dennis to his father’s office that day and that he destroyed evidence at Renforth Wharf?”
Veniot replied yes, then Morrison stated “Why would Dennis tell the police he has at the office a third time and went to the Wharf? by not revealing that information, no one would ever have known.”
Morrison then asked Veniot “If someone took a weapon to a scene to commit a murder and then removed it as you contend, would you not consider that premeditation?
How is that a crime of passion?”
Morrison asked Veniot if a compliments grocery bag went in during the third visit, Veniot said no it was during the second, then the Justice asked, “Well how did the murder weapon get there if you contend the killing was on a third visit to Richard Oland’s office that day.”
Justice Morrison then thanked the Crown and defence for their behaviour and decorum during the trial, he thanked the family for being there every day and even the media as well.
Morrison says he was too optimistic with his early to mid-June timeline for a decision and now hopes to have it on July 19.
