A Crown lawyer prosecuting two males for the first-degree homicide of Regent Park youth employee Thane Murray and the tried homicide of two of Murray’s childhood mates says a rap track and lyrics discovered on the telephone of one of many accused after his arrest have been “the reality” and no coincidence.
Noah Anderson and Junior Jamal Harvey are two of 4 males the Crown alleges drove into the Regent Park space of Toronto on the night of Sept. 18, 2021, earlier than parking their rental automobile and strolling on foot in the direction of the world of 330 Gerrard St., east of Parliament.
The 4 males might be seen on video surveillance chasing Murray and his mates as they have been “operating for his or her lives,” assistant Crown lawyer Karen Simone informed the jury in her closing tackle Tuesday.
The suspects, who have been all carrying masks, can then be seen operating off after the capturing. The problem the jury should determine is whether or not two of the 4 males seen on surveillance video are Anderson and Harvey.
Simone stated three victims have been focused as a result of they have been within the fallacious place on the fallacious time. Fifty-nine casings have been discovered on the scene, and Murray was shot roughly 14 instances, together with as soon as within the head.
“We are saying they have been focused by the accused, who had animus with Regent Park,” Simone stated.
Simone stated Anderson, Harvey, Jabreel Elmi and Rajahden Angus Campbell rented a resort room, rented a getaway automobile, modified their garments and adjusted the licence plate on the rental automobile earlier than and after the capturing to keep away from detection.
“We are saying 10 days later, they wrote a rap, revealing their animus and revealing the id of the shooters,” Simone added.
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The Crown stated it has confirmed past an affordable doubt that Anderson and Harvey are two of the 4 shooters when you think about all of the proof, together with surveillance video of the beige Nissan Altima that it alleges the suspects arrived and left in, the shortage of cellphone exercise earlier than, throughout and after the homicide, and the contents of Anderson’s cellphone, together with the lyrics and track.
Simone known as the track “a strong piece of circumstantial proof displaying animus of Regent Park,” which included the names of the accused.
A number of the lyrics embody “we some RP killas” and “your block is getting peppered.” Simone stated RP is brief for Regent Park.
It’s agreed upon that the track was recorded at a recording studio in Woodbridge 10 days after the capturing. Anderson and Harvey have been each on the studio on the time.
On Nov. 30, 2021, an e mail with the attachment “Mr. Stroll via x RD x (Mr. Wallahix JMoney) – Peppered.mp3” was despatched from the e-mail tackle related to Anderson to an e mail related to Elmi.
Simone stated it’s an agreed undeniable fact that Harvey’s nickname is JMoney. Mr. Stroll via refers to Anderson, RD is Campbell and Wallahi refers to Elmi.
“It’s no coincidence that the 4 individuals chargeable for the brazen capturing of harmless persons are credited within the title of this track,” Simone stated.
Anderson’s lawyer Melina Macchia argued that little weight must be given to the track and lyrics along side the proof on this case.
Macchia argued her consumer is harmless. It’s agreed upon that Anderson rented a room on the Chelsea resort and a Nissan Altima that the Crown alleges was the getaway automobile. Macchia stated it is not sensible that Anderson would have used his actual title if he was attempting to hide his id on this case.
She stated Anderson had no less than 15 units of lyrics on his cellphone, together with raps from different artists, which have been saved earlier than and after the murder, many together with violent themes.
“This is named drill rap. Lyrics involving violent imagery and storytelling, together with homicide,” Macchia defined. “One other key characteristic: the idea of common opposition. These violent boasts or taunts are geared in the direction of rival neighbourhoods. The Crown asks you to depend on a few of the lyrics to pepper the bridge of gaps on this case. In doing so, the Crown has ignored the truth that 90 per cent of the lyrics are unfaithful.”
Macchia stated the Crown was criminalizing inventive expression and identified that lyrics have been being cherry-picked. “They’re asking you to depend on points of this track that time out animus on Regent Park,” Macchia stated, declaring that RP may discuss with “actual individuals” or different interpretations.
“There’s nothing within the track that may help you in figuring out the shooters on this case. We’re counting on a track to in some way clarify an inexplicable crime,” Macchia concluded, calling the worth of the lyrics insignificant.
Harvey’s attorneys will give closing arguments on Wednesday. Each Anderson and Harvey have pleaded not responsible.
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