In late March 2009, three young men allegedly entered an apartment on Murray Ross Parkway and assaulted two 19-year-old brothers, Michael Marian and Peter Marian. Kerrick Salmon, 23, Nicholas Salmon, 22 and Gregory Taylor, 19, all of Toronto, were accused of restraining Peter Marian and forcing Michael Marian to accompany them to Sheppard Avenue West, where they held him for ransom.
“Having a lifestyle influenced by rap music and music video culture, Taylor needed the money to finance this lifestyle,” said defence lawyer Dirk Derstine at Taylor and Salmon's trial on Tuesday.
Kerrick Salmon and Gregory Taylor who appeared in Ontario Superior Court have been charged on a variety of offences, including kidnapping, assaulting, extortion, possession of a firearm and drugs.
The jury heard about the details of the kidnap in the opening argument of Derstine.
Michael Marian was taken from his apartment by ten male intruders. He was first transported to a residential apartment by car and held for approximately two days. During this period there were ongoing negotiations for the release of the victim between the kidnappers and the Marian family.
Then he was taken to a townhouse at Jane Street and Shepphard Avenue, a ransom of $35000 was negotiated for the release of the victim. Michael Marian was freed at the exchange site.
The police inspected the townhouse several hours later and found the three accused men. They also allegedly found a handgun and quantities of marijuana and cocaine.
“Salmon deserves an Oscar award,” said Crown Attorney Sheila Cressman when referencing to the testimony he gave earlier. “Michael Marian might not have identified Salmon as one of the kidnappers, but how do people who have undergone such dramatic incidents be able to give fair comments?”
Cressman continued to describe photographs taken of the townhouse after the police raided the residence.
She mentioned a number of condoms lying on the floor, including empty condom wrappers. She suggested that it was left by someone who was in a hurry and did not care about what was on the ground.
The temperature of the townhouse was freezing when the police arrived there, the windows of the bedrooms were left open. Cressman said this was why Michael Marian was cold and kept shivering when he was released.
Also found at the townhouse was a 42-inch Samsung TV which belonged to the Marian family and Michael's wallet which contained his driver's licence and health card.
She refreshed the jury's memory of Michael Marian's testimony. He mentioned being directed from behind while walking towards Jane Street and Shepphard Avenue. He also described his experiences of being tortured and assaulted when he was captured.
Michael was forced by the kidnappers to talk to his family on the phone. He recalled the kidnappers saying to each other, “Tell this fucking cockroach to beg him.” Throughout his phone call he had a gun pointed at him.
Wounds and bruises covered Michael Marian's body after the incident, Cressman said this was clearly caused by assaults during the two days of the kidnap.
Cressman also described the situation of Peter Marian who was restrained by the kidnappers.
“He wanted to do whatever he could do to get his brother back,” she said.
She mentioned that in Peter's testimony he said that “the 3 young men were not being completely truthful”.
“People living criminal lifestyles tend to keep information to themselves,” said Cressman.
In defence of the accused, lawyer Dirk Derstine brought up the fact that the criminals were Canadian immigrants. He mentioned that Toronto being a multicultural city does not have the facilities for immigrants to find jobs corresponding to their qualifications in their hometowns.
“It is a good idea to ask us where we're all from, and to trace our roots to our forefathers and forebrothers,” he said. “Immigrants come here for a better life and they will be disappointed and resort to other methods to reap money if Canada does not have better institutions to provide them with jobs.”
The trial is ongoing and defence lawyer Nathan Gorham representing Kerrick Salmon has yet to present his argument.
No comments:
Post a Comment