New video showing the arrest of a suspect was played in court as the trial continues for two people accused of killing a police officer in Ontario.
Jurors in a Cayuga courthouse were once again shown footage of a search for the accused, taken from an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) helicopter following the death of Const. Greg Pierzchala.
Pierzchala was shot six times while responding to a vehicle in a ditch on Indian Line near Hagersville, Ont. on the afternoon of Dec. 27, 2022.
Randall McKenzie and Brandi Stewart-Sperry are facing first-degree murder charges in his death.
On Thursday, the jury was shown footage from a helicopter equipped with a thermal imaging camera. It showed heat signatures, indicating people, initially together in a wooded area. The pair eventually separated and shortly after, a woman identified as Stewart-Sperry, surrendered to Six Nations Police.
McKenzie was later arrested after he emerged from a brush area with his hands raised.
On Friday, new video of McKenzie’s arrest was presented to the court. That footage was captured at the scene by an emergency response team officer.
In it, McKenzie is read his rights and then charged with first-degree murder.
Court heard McKenzie complained of back pain and was taken to a hospital. Police said they were also concerned that be may have had hypothermia.
Various police officers also took the stand on Friday, describing the search for an object they believe McKenzie had thrown away before emerging from the woods.
The jury was shown photos of the Glock 19 handgun police recovered.
The jury also heard about clothing seized during the investigation, most of which was removed from McKenzie during his arrest.
They also examined a backpack that Stewart-Sperry had been carrying when she was arrested.
A police officer was asked to compare the items presented to the court with the clothing worn in three separate videos. The first video was what was shot by an officer on the ground during the arrests.
The second video featured footage taken from security cameras and a cellphone. It showed the person believed to be the driver of a truck stolen following the fatal shooting.
The third video was taken from Const. Pierzchala’s body-worn camera in the moments before he was killed.
Justice Andrew Goodman told the jury the meaning of the comparisons was entirely for them to decide.
The trial is set to continue on Monday.
The trial is expected to last for six to seven weeks.
