Murder retrial begins

After a mistrial was declared last week, the re-trial for two men accused of killing a Hamilton barber began Wednesday, with the crown delivering their opening statement and calling their witnesses to the stand.

On Feburary 18th 2016, 40-year Neil Harris was gunned down at his Upper Wellington street barber shop.

In his opening statement, crown attorney Brian Adsett said Erick Reid of Toronto and Odain Gardiner of Hamilton, both in their 20’s attended Neil’s barbershop armed with handguns and murderous intent. The crown did not however provide a motive.

“Neil was my best friend for the last 24 years”, said Harris’ wife, the first crown witness called to testify. “He was my husband for the last 14 years.”

The woman who made the 9-11 call also took the stand, saying she heard a gunshot followed by a tussle outside the front door of the shop between 3 men, one was Harris bleeding from his chest.

The trial is expected to last about 4 weeks.