Forensic pathologist testifies during 2nd day of Reno Lee murder trial in Regina
The jury in the trial for three men accused in the murder of 34-year-old Reno Lee learned his cause of death on Tuesday when Saskatchewan's chief forensic pathologist testified on the second day of the trial.
Daniel Theodore, Bronson Gordon and Andrew Bellegarde have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in connection with Lee's death.
The three men have also pleaded not guilty to charges of committing an indignity to a human body. It's alleged they dismembered and beheaded Lee's body.
Lee, 34, was Regina's third homicide victim of 2015.
The trial began at the Court of Queen's Bench in Regina on Monday.
1st day of trial
The Crown's opening address on the first day talked about locations where jurors might hear that Lee's body was transported throughout April 16 and April 17, 2015.
One location includes the Starblanket First Nation, where a shallow grave site containing Lee's remains was uncovered.
The Crown also indicated the Starblanket First Nation, located 100 kilometres northeast of Regina, was Bellegarde's home reserve.
Further investigation indicated Lee died in Regina.
Forensic pathologist testifies
Speaking under cross-examination on Tuesday, Saskatchewan's chief forensic pathologist, Dr. Shaun Ladham, said Lee died from two gunshot wounds to the head.
The court also heard from Regina Police Service Cpl. Darrel Danylyshen, the first police witness, who works in the forensic identification unit. Danylyshen was present on May 1, 2015, when a dive team entered two sloughs northeast of Regina, near Balcarres.
He said police found items related to the murder, including a kitchen knife, cleaver, bucksaw and red and white tape with the words "fragile" written across it.
Bleach found at 2nd scene
The officer also attended a second crime scene on the 1100 block of Garnet St., where bottles of bleach were found inside and outside the residence. A total of five bottles were fingerprinted for evidence.
He said the house was a mess except for two rooms, and items found in one of the rooms were "mostly soaked with bleach."
The Crown indicated the court can expect to hear more testimony from witnesses involving a third scene at Gordon's apartment at 2115 Angus Rd.
The trial continues Wednesday.
