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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.