The second-degree murder trial of Dennis Oland has begun.
Dennis Oland pleads not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his father, Richard Oland. Opening statements will begin momentarily.
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) November 21, 2018
He entered a not guilty plea in the 2011 death of his father Richard Oland.
In her opening statement, Crown prosecutor Jill Knee said there’s no question Richard Oland was murdered on July 6, 2011.
She said the issue for the court to decide is if Dennis did it.
Knee said the court will hear about the strained relationship between Richard and his son, Dennis. She notes Dennis was “on the edge financially” after a 2009 divorce and his father loaned him $538,000.
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) November 21, 2018
Knee says Richard Oland’s murder was a “crime of passion” and the evidence they submit will support beyond a reasonable doubt that Dennis killed his father.
Meanwhile, Defence lawyer Alan Gold says the court will hear from witnesses who said they heard a “loud crash or thump” coming from Richard Oland’s office “around 8 p.m.” on July 6, 2011, around the same time Dennis and his wife were getting groceries.
Gold also points to Oland’s calm demeanour while getting groceries and questions if someone would be so calm if they had just murdered someone.
Gold says the Crown’s evidence is like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces and pieces from another puzzle.
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) November 21, 2018
The Crown described the relationship between Dennis and Richard as “strained” but Gold says the evidence will show their relationship was perfectly normal.
You can follow along with our reporter Brad Perry @bradmperry who is live-tweeting from court today.
