Man accused of murdering Winnipeg taxi driver disclosed offence to inmates, judge told
Video evidence was shown Friday at the trial for a man accused of fatally stabbing a Winnipeg taxi driver.
Okoth Obeing, now 22, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder for the March 2020 death of Duffy’s Taxi driver Balvir Toor, who was 44.
The killing was captured on camera in graphic video footage played in the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench which prompted a warning from the Crown to Toor's family who left the courtroom before the video was shown to Justice Joan McKelvey.
It shows a passenger who reached around the plastic shield meant to protect drivers, stab Toor repeatedly. The passenger exits the taxi and moments later a passerby shows up to help.
The passerby has previously been identified in court as Kelly Lee who testified he was on his way to work at around 5 a.m. on Mar.19, 2020 when he saw the taxi's emergency light activated.
In the video Lee can be heard calling 911 and talking to Toor.
Two other men who lived in the area also showed up to help.
“Help is on its way,” Lee, who was still on the phone with 911, tells Toor. "You're not alone."
The Crown has alleged Obeing is criminally responsible for second-degree murder.
Prosecutors are arguing he had a dislike of taxi drivers due in part to prepayment requests which the Crown suggested in court he perceived as disrespect.
Court has heard Obeing lives with bipolar disorder and had been off his medication in the day's leading up to Toor’s killing.
The allegations against him have not been proven in court and he's presumed innocent.
Detectives seized video from nine different sources as part of the investigation, including from various surveillance cameras in the North End which show a man who the Crown alleges is the accused running away from the scene of the stabbing.
Court has heard Obeing was arrested and taken into custody.
An officer working at Headingley Correctional Centre testified while at work on Apr.4, 2020 she overheard him make a comment in his cell.
“‘He (expletive) disrespected me,” Obeing was heard saying, according to testimony given by corrections officer Jaimie Eyers.
“‘I stabbed him 15 to 20 times,’” Eyers testified she heard Obeing say.
“He was very loud,” she said. “He appeared very animated and excitable.”
The Crown told Justice Joan McKelvey it expects to close its case on Monday with two more witnesses.
Obeing’s lawyer Alex Steigerwald told the court the defence will call civilian and expert witnesses.
“This is a case that will focus on mental health and we anticipate hearing evidence as to what role the accused’s mental health played in what happened,” Steigerwald said outside court.
The trial continues.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.