The person accused within the brutal deadly stabbing demise of a well-liked Vancouver park caretaker took the stand in his personal defence for the second day on Tuesday.
Brent White, 54, has pleaded not responsible to the second-degree homicide of Justis Daniel. The 77-year-old was discovered useless with greater than 40 stab wounds in his caretaker dwelling in Tatlow Park on Dec. 10, 2021.
White is claiming self-defence.
On Tuesday, he testified he was residing in his van at Jericho Seaside on Dec. 9, 2021, when he took a routine stroll and went to get groceries.
White advised the courtroom he didn’t intend to finish up at Daniel’s entrance door, however that the caretaker invited him in.
The courtroom has beforehand heard that the 2 had met one another about 14 years prior, when White labored on a web site for Daniel.
White testified Tuesday that he and Daniel had been chatting a few relationship app and watching CNN when violence broke out.
“Swiftly, I received this sharp intense ache on the left facet of my neck,” he advised the courtroom. “Seems he [Justis Daniel] had bit me on my neck.
“He reaches all the way down to the espresso desk … picks up a sharp-edged throwing knife … instantly tasks it at my face,” he additional testified.
White advised the courtroom he responded by pulling a folding knife from his pocket and defending himself.
Daniel in the end suffered 42 stab sounds, 18 of them to his face and head.
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The park caretaker was well-known in the neighborhood, and buddies described him as pleasant and useful.
“He was loving. Type,” buddy Melanie Kirkland advised International Information.
“He was my neighbour and my buddy and also you get used to having somebody in your life that you simply see each day when that’s taken from you. We miss him, lots of people miss him.”
The courtroom has heard {that a} knife and footwear with Daniel’s blood on them had been later present in White’s van.
Forensics consultants additionally positioned White’s blood and DNA inside Daniel’s dwelling.
White was arrested three months after Daniel’s demise.
“I feared for my life. I used to be shocked. Completely speechless,” he advised the courtroom Tuesday.
When his lawyer requested him if he meant to kill the senior, he responded, “Oh no, completely not. I used to be compelled in a scenario to defend myself.”
The courtroom additionally heard some uncommon proof from White’s pocket book: he was involved concerning the chunk and was researching the best way to cleanse himself of evil.
Defence advised the courtroom his consumer didn’t wish to pursue a psychological sickness defence.
The Crown is predicted to cross-examine White later this week.
— with recordsdata from Rumina Daya
© 2025 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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