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The bouncer testified that he noticed the commotion simply six toes away and instantly went to interrupt up the combat, and had his hand tucked beneath Esco’s arm, however when he heard gunshots, that he thought had been on the entrance of the bar, he let go, telling court docket that gunshots had been extra essential than breaking apart a combat. They had been wrestling on the ground when Ahmed fired two rounds into Esco’s chest.
As a lot as he wished to interrupt up the combat, Jean advised court docket that he let go and went to the entrance as a result of he thought the pictures had been coming from the entrance of the bar.
He thought he heard two pictures after which extra outdoors, as much as 4, however there have been solely two bullets fired, court docket heard.
If it hadn’t been for the gunshots, the bouncer stated he would have carried out all the things he might to interrupt up the combat.
In cross-examination by Friedman, the bouncer stated he couldn’t shield Ahmed from being grabbed from behind, or having a bottle swung at his head, or taken to the bottom or being struck by “Esco.”
Moments after Ahmed shot his good friend, he’s seen on safety video standing up from the ground, tucking his handgun into his waistband and leaving the bar together with his hoodie pulled down. In opening statements earlier this week Assistant Crown Legal professional Michael Purcell stated he left calmly as if nothing had occurred. Didn’t examine on his dying good friend on the way in which out, took a cab and lived as a fugitive for 18 months earlier than his arrest.
The prosecutor’s opening remarks on the judge-alone trial earlier this week didn’t point out a motive.
The case is anchored in safety footage that captured the combat and taking pictures, nevertheless it’s grainy and the digital camera didn’t catch all of the angles. There’s additionally no audio.
Purcell advised Ontario Superior Court docket Justice Ronald Laliberté that he’s assured the Crown case might be proved past an inexpensive doubt and that Ahmed supposed to kill and that there was no justification for it. The defence, which presents its case final, will attempt to firmly set up doubt on the subject of self-defence or provocation.
Rashid-Ghader, an aspiring rapper, and Ahmed had been each unique members of the now-defunct road gang Ledbury-Banff Crips, named after two streets in a south-end public housing undertaking.
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