The trial of a Regina man accused of killing two people in drive-by shootings began Monday with a plea of not guilty.
Dillon Ricky Whitehawk, 27, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Jordan Denton on Nov. 9, 2019 and Keenan Toto on Dec. 1, 2019.
The Crown is alleging the killings were gang-related.
The Court of Queen’s Bench trial is being held at the Delta Hotel in Regina to enable social distancing. The trial is slated to last for three weeks.
Denton was found dead in the 800 block of Robinson Street at around 3:25 a.m. on Nov. 9, 2019. Two days later, police confirmed his death was a murder.
Three weeks later, police responded to the 1200 block of Queen Street at about 4 a.m., for a call of a man lying in the street. When officers arrived, they found Toto dead. On Dec. 2, police said Toto had been murdered.
The prosecution is expected to call 31 witnesses during the jury trial.
Whitehawk also is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Keesha Bitternose on Jan. 5, 2020. That trial is to be held at a future date.
— With files from The Canadian Press