Following a three-month delay, the trial of the man accused of shooting 28-year-old Craig Widdifield in South Surrey nearly four years ago resumed in B.C. Supreme Court this week.
Security measures outside the second-floor New Westminster courtroom were increased for the proceedings – with additional sheriffs stationed outside, carefully screening attendees and their belongings – which got underway Tuesday.
Brody Paterson – arrested in October 2014 – is charged with first-degree murder in connection with Widdifield’s death, which occurred April 24, 2013 in the parking lot of the Morgan Crossing shopping centre.
In court last fall, Paterson pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Witnesses who testified at that time included a man who described having “direct line of sight” to the killing.
“I saw a person with their right arm extended to another person, heard or saw the two or three shots, the person stepping into the vehicle fell backwards,” the witness told the court. “At that point, I saw everyone just scatter… realized this was the real deal and sort of… saw the last breath of the victim.”
The witness, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, also described following the shooter.
The trial first got underway in New Westminster on Sept. 26, but was adjourned after two weeks due to “an issue that has been raised.”
Wednesday, defence counsel Michael Klein cross-examined the Crown’s final witness.
Crown David Sim said the trial is scheduled for two more weeks; he did not know if the full block of time would be needed.
Klein said how he proceeds will depend on testimony this week.