Defence lawyers wrapped up their arguments Wednesday at an appeal hearing for five of the six men convicted in what’s believed to be the worst mass murder in Ontario history.
In 2006, eight members of the Bandidos biker gang were found dead in cars parked on a London-area farm.
All eight had been shot in the head.
Three years later, six men were found guilty on multiple counts of murder.
A seventh man was granted immunity in exchange for becoming the Crown’s key witness.
The trial heard that one of the six, Wayne Kellestine, ordered a secret meeting at his farm to kick the eight victims out of the Bandidos – only issuing orders to kill them hours before the meeting.
Five of the six killers are now appealing their convictions, arguing they should be reduced to manslaughter or new trials should be argued.
At this week’s appeal hearing, defence lawyers have brought forward a number of arguments, including why a first-degree murder charge was laid against Brett Gardiner, who did not directly participate in the killings.
Others have argued that their clients should have been allowed to use the ‘duress defence’ during the original trial – in essence, that they believed they would be killed themselves if they didn’t fall in line with the others.
Wednesday, another defence lawyer questioned why the previous history with police of the informant used by the Crown wasn’t examined.
The hearing resumes Thursday with arguments from Crown lawyers.
A three-judge panel will rule on whether to uphold the convictions.
With files from The Canadian Press
