Crown alleges revenge killing in fatal shooting of Winnipeg man, 20, in South Pointe townhouse
Jurors in Winnipeg started hearing testimony Monday in a murder trial for three men accused in what prosecutors are calling a revenge killing.
Each of the three men — Javaid Wahabi, Abdullahi Abdulrehmam Mohamed and Manuchehr Haroon — have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the Nov. 4, 2019, death of 20-year-old Rig Moulebou.
Court heard Moulebou shot and killed Jamshaid Wahabi, 23, on the dance floor of Citizen Nightclub in Winnipeg’s Exchange District in the early hours of Nov.2, 2019 —two days before his own death.
Crown attorney Chris Vanderhooft told the jury in an opening address Moulebou was executed at point-blank range by two guns and two shooters and alleges the three accused were involved in planning and murdering Moulebou as retribution for killing Jamshaid.
“This case is about revenge,” Vanderhooft said to jurors. “The trial you are about to hear is motivated and animated by vengeance.”
Vanderhooft told the jury efforts were made to locate Moulebou, who fled the nightclub, following Jamshaid’s death.
“They then plotted and carried out their vengeance quickly and efficiently,” Vanderhooft said in court. “They took matters into their own hands and became judge, jury, and executioner.”
The Crown alleges Jamshaid’s brother Javaid helped plan the killing and set it in motion while Haroon and Mohamed went into an Airbnb on Tim Sale Drive in Winnipeg’s South Pointe neighbourhood where Moulebou was staying and shot him at close range while he was sleeping.
The three accused are presumed innocent.
Vanderhooft told jurors they’ll hear testimony from a witness at the scene that two masked men pushed their way past her and entered the home before she heard gunshots. Vanderhooft also said a man who helped facilitate the murder has entered into an immunity agreement to testify in the trial.
Other evidence including phone records, cell tower information, intercepted phone records and technical evidence will be called, the Crown indicated in court.
The trial continues.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.