Man accused of double-murder visits Barrie, Ont. home where two men died
Disclaimer: Readers may find some content disturbing.
With his hands and ankles in cuffs, Dyrrin Daley was led inside the William Street home in Barrie, Ont. where the Crown attorney said he brutally murdered James and Nick Pasowisty four years ago.
"It was a tense-full experience for him absolutely," said Daley's lawyer James Harbic.
Police escorted Daley, Harbic, the Crown attorneys and Justice Vanessa Christie through the house separately Friday morning to show all those involved in the double-murder trial where everything took place on Feb. 8, 2017.
"The advantage of this viewing was it enabled the court to see how small the apartment was. How everything happened in close proximity," said Harbic outside the Barrie courthouse.
While rare, the visit to the William Street home was agreed upon by all parties involved to better understand the photo and video evidence.
Daley testified he killed the father and son duo in self-defence.
During testimony, Daley said he blacked out and went into a trance-like state.
Upon his arrest and in court, Daley admitted to police he stabbed both men to ensure his survival, testifying he feared James and Nick Pasowisty were prepared to throw him off the second-floor balcony of the duplex.
"That's when he went into - the word he used to describe it was a 'frenzy,'" his lawyer reiterated.
Harbic and Daley argue the now 28-year-old accused went into a violent frenzy inside the home and quickly left the building before returning to his nearby Marcus Street home.
Blood stains the snow on the roof of an apartment building in an Allandale neighbourhood in Barrie, Ont. on Feb. 8, 2017. (CTV News Barrie)
The Crown cross-examined Daley for more than two days, suggesting he made up his version of events. The Crown called the bloody scene a massacre, with pools of blood surrounding the Pasowistys bodies, while the defendant was relatively unharmed, Crown attorney Ray Williams said.
The Pasowistys were found dead inside the home, the court heard, with 73 stab wounds between them. Daley was arrested about 10 hours later at his home nearby.
Daley, whose mother once dated James Pasowisty, told the court he went over to the William Street home around 2:30 that morning to do a deal with the two men. He had a duffle bag with items, including a pellet gun and extendable baton. Daley said he intended to trade the items for marijuana.
Daley said he was accused of owing James money, and an argument ensued during which he testified he was called a racial slur and tackled by the 51-year-old man.
Daley said that's when he pulled out a blade to defend himself.
In court earlier this week, Daley apologized to the family and friends of the Pasowistys, some of whom were present in the courtroom while others listened virtually. Daley said he was remorseful and never meant to kill them.
Nick Pasowisty and James Pasowisty can be seen in these undated photos. (Facebook/ Instagram)
Nick Pasowisty (19) and his father, James Pasowisty (51) - undated photo.
"He regretted very much what happened. He felt very bad about the loss of life and what took place," said Harbic. "It had a complete impact on his life no matter what happens here. This was a fellow who had no criminal record, and he's been in jail for 52 months, waiting for his trial. He's finally been given the opportunity to say his side of what happened, and he's appreciative that finally, he was able to do so."
Daley is charged with first-degree murder in Nick Pasowisty's death and murder in the second degree in James' death.
The trial resumes Wednesday when the lawyers begin closing submissions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.