Kitchener Cops Charge Man In Christmas Card Killing
Posted December 19, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It was an unthinkable crime at what should have been a joyous time of year. Police in Kitchener have charged 22-year-old Trevor James Lapierre in the murder of a senior who was killed while handing out Christmas cards on Saturday.
Seventy-four-year-old Hunter Brown was taking his season’s greetings to neighbours when he was hit repeatedly in the head and face with what detectives describe as an “edged weapon.”
It’s not yet clear what drew them to a cab in the city on Tuesday afternoon. But just hours after putting out composites of a suspect wanted in the case, they pounced on the taxi and took Lapierre into custody.
The likeness of the man in the sketches wasn’t great – one didn’t show a face, just clothing. The other was almost too cartoonish to be of much use. It’s unclear if either helped lead police to the Kitchener man, and cops will only say they received information during their probe that led them to the cab around 3:15pm. They also obtained a search warrant for a home in the city.
“We have several other witnesses who have given us sightings of a suspect, after the homicide,” admits Staff Sgt. Adrian Darmon of Waterloo Regional Police.
One of the composites referenced a man who detectives believed was involved in a second attack, and they’ve also charged the suspect in that bizarre case, as well. A man shoveling his driveway after Monday’s snow storm was approached by an individual who allegedly made a “negative reference” to God before going after him. “The victim in this particular case was able to fend off the suspect — he was assaulted but did not receive any injuries,” Darmon relates.
The motive for both attacks remains a mystery, but friends of the smiling senior who made it his mission to personally deliver his holiday greetings are stunned at his sudden and senseless passing.
“He was a very friendly person, easy to get along with, and always helpful,” remembers neighbour Glen Glasser. “So I’m really saddened about what happened to him.”
Brown’s funeral is scheduled for Friday and police confirm they’re not looking for anyone else in this case. Lapierre was in court Wednesday facing charges of first-degree murder and assault, and the former honour student looked to be an emotional wreck donning protective clothing as he was remanded in custody until January 9.
“He appeared to most people to be a person in some distress — dishevelled and disordered in his appearance,” said lawyer Brennan Smart, who is acting for Lapierre. “He was upset, he was crying.”
Smart said the accused had no previous run-ins with the law.
“I understand he was an excellent high school student — (an) honour student,” Smart said. “Obviously he had never been in any trouble.”
The lawyer added however, that he understands the significance of the accusations and the gravity of the crime his client stands charged with.
“There was no apparent reason for the attack on Mr. Brown,” he said. “Whenever you have that situation, there is a great deal of anxiety caused in the community over and above the simple fact a person has been killed.”
Image credit: The Record
