O'Leary trial focuses on drinking, boat speed before fatal crash
Leah Smith testified in court on Wednesday that she remembered serving Linda O'Leary three-quarters of an ounce of vodka with Perrier sparkling water at a dinner party she hosted the night of the fatal boat crash on Aug. 24, 2019.
Smith told court O'Leary said, "If you're making a beverage for me, you need to make it super light because I'm the DD."
The witness testified she didn't know if O'Leary drank the beverage but added she remembered seeing the glass turned upside down and assumed she had water with her meal.
The dinner party ended around 11:30 p.m. From that time, the court watched surveillance video from the Smith's dock, which showed Linda O'Leary driving off with her husband and friend Allison Whiteside.
OPP Detective Const. Sean Richardson took the witness stand and described trying to reconstruct the crash with his team of investigators.
He said he went out in a boat with Dr. Irv Edwards, the other boat owner involved in the crash, who estimated for police where his boat was in relation to the O'Leary's.
Richardson said he couldn't determine how fast the O'Leary boat was travelling but guestimated the O'Leary boat had been going between 24 and 30mph.
The defence questioned the officer's estimates, suggesting the O'Leary's boat may have been moving below 20mph, and Richardson agreed it was possible.
CRASH KILLS TWO PEOPLE
O'Leary faces one charge of careless operation of a vessel under the Canada Shipping Act. She has pleaded not guilty.
Linda was captaining the boat, and her businessman husband, Kevin O'Leary, was onboard with one of their friends when the boat struck another on Lake Joseph.
The collision claimed the lives of 64-year-old Gary Poltash of Florida and 48-year-old mother Suzana Brito of Uxbridge.
Nearly two hours after the deadly crash, O'Leary provided a breath sample to police, which a provincial police officer testified on Monday registered an "alert range" blood alcohol level. The officer said O'Leary told her that was because she asked someone for a drink after the collision.
The driver of the other vessel, who took over from Edwards not long after leaving shore, was charged and convicted for failing to display the stern lights.
The trial resumes Thursday with more testimony from OPP officers with the forensic investigations team.
With files from The Canadian Press
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
Trudeau resignation: recap key moments, analysis, reaction as it happened
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stepped down as Liberal leader. Here's a recap of key moments, analysis, and reaction as it happened.
Justin Trudeau steps down as Liberal leader. Who are the top contenders to replace him?
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as Liberal party leader, several well-known political faces may be waiting in the wings for their opportunity to take his place.
'Together, what a great nation it would be': Donald Trump, Elon Musk react to Justin Trudeau's resignation
Amid news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as leader of the Liberal party on Monday morning, reactions from prominent figures began piling in.
Trudeau says Parliament is 'prorogued' until March. What does that mean?
In his resignation speech on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Parliament would be prorogued until March, which will give the Liberal party time to find a new leader ahead of an expected confidence vote and early election.
Justin Trudeau is resigning, what will be his legacy? A look back at key political eras
In a seismic political move, Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to step down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and prime minister, once his successor is named. This decision comes after more than nine years in the country's top job and nearly 12 years at the helm of his party.
Justin Trudeau resignation: Here's what he said in Ottawa today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a speech about his political future Monday morning outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. Here's the message he delivered to Canadians.
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government has signed an agreement with Enbridge that Premier Danielle Smith says will increase exports of the province's heavy oil to the United States.
Trudeau leaves mixed global legacy as he exits during turbulent time, analysts say
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will leave the world stage with a legacy of promoting feminist causes and focusing on Asia, along with criticism that Canada's actions fell short of the government's rhetoric.
Kitchener
-
Uncertainty surrounds college semester in Ontario as strike deadline looms
Students at Ontario’s 24 public colleges are beginning their winter semester under the cloud of a potential strike.
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Social media famous corgi from Kitchener, Ont. rescues owner
A captivating canine is being hailed as a hero after one of his owners took a terrifying fall.
London
-
Body found on Lake Erie shoreline prompts death investigation
Elgin County OPP are investigating after a deceased individual was discovered on the shoreline of Lake Erie in the township of Malahide.
-
Truck driver slapped with charges after screwing a hitch to the floor of a cube van: OPP
Lambton OPP have laid charges against a commercial motor vehicle operator who improvised a trailer hitch by screwing a hitch into the floor of a cube van.
-
Strangulation attack inside Sarnia church sparks security review
The incident happened Saturday inside the Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church - the chapel is available 24 hours a day for those who know the door code to enter.
Windsor
-
Riders push back against proposed $1.4M Transit Windsor cut
Details of the $1.4-million cut have not been made public, as the document outlining Windsor's proposed budget lists it as an "in-camera item" – meaning it will be discussed behind closed doors by Windsor's mayor, city councillors and administration.
-
'It is a nice piece of history': remnants of possible 19th century schooner shipwreck wash up in Erieau
Former Erieau harbourmaster Jeff Vidler hopes to salvage and preserve the large section of the vessel, believing it to be from a wooden schooner that was likely built in the 1850's.
-
Three gunpoint robbery suspects sought, one arrested
Windsor police officers have arrested one suspect and they are looking for three others after an armed robbery on University Avenue.
Northern Ontario
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Two Greater Sudbury drivers charged in racing incident on Hwy. 69
Ontario Provincial Police stopped to vehicles travelling more than double the speed limit on Highway 69 south of Greater Sudbury, early Friday morning.
-
Province boosts Sudbury's annual funding by $2.7M
The City of Greater Sudbury is one of more than 300 municipalities receiving an increase to their annual provincial funding this year.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Northwestern OPP share winter road safety tips
Police in northwestern Ontario are sharing tips to remain safe on the roads during cold winter weather.
-
Northwestern Ont. police seek help with historic robbery investigation
The Kenora Ontario Provincial Police detachment is requesting the public's assistance in identifying a suspect in a previously reported robbery.
-
Sault woman charged with assault, criminal harassment
A Sault Ste. Marie woman was arrested Friday following an earlier morning disturbance.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa mayor says prorogation of parliament gives city time to work with MPs on transit funding request
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he remains optimistic that the City of Ottawa will eventually get the transit funding it has requested from the federal government, despite Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Parliament has been prorogued and that he intends to step aside as Liberal leader and prime minister.
-
Ottawa's new north-south O-Train opens to the public
A large crowd gathered at Bayview Station just before 6 a.m. for a chance to be the first person to ride on the new north-south Line 2 Monday morning. The new north-south Line 2 and Line 4 runs from Bayview Station to Riverside South, with a link to the Ottawa International Airport.
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
Toronto
-
Doug Ford snaps back at Donald Trump's Canada taunts with offer to 'buy Alaska'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has snapped back at Donald Trump’s frequent taunts about treating Canada as a U.S. state with a counterproposal: buying Alaska.
-
Toronto police officer injured in pursuit of robbery suspects in North York
A Toronto police officer sustained a minor injury to his lower leg during the pursuit of several robbery suspects in North York late Monday afternoon.
-
1 arrested after vacant church in Oakville allegedly intentionally set ablaze: police
A male is in police custody after allegedly intentionally setting a vacant church in Oakville on fire late Monday morning.
Montreal
-
'It was the right decision': Quebec politicians, residents react to Trudeau resignation
Elected officials in Quebec were quick to react to the major announcement in Ottawa Monday about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the path forward for the federal Liberal Party.
-
Man, 27, injured in possible stabbing in Plateau-Mont-Royal
A 27-year-old man was sent to hospital with serious injuries after a possible stabbing in broad daylight Monday afternoon.
-
Health authorities advise caution as flu season intensifies
Quebec's Health and Social Service Ministry says the influenza season is intensifying while cases of the common cold are stabilizing. However, the situation could change rapidly as students gradually return to school this week.
Atlantic
-
Names of double homicide victims in Chipman, N.B., released by police
Police in New Brunswick have released the names of two people who were killed in Chipman, N.B., late last year.
-
Maritime premiers, residents weigh-in on Trudeau resignation
Maritime leaders and residents react after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party on Monday.
-
Suspicious death in Bible Hill under investigation: N.S. RCMP
The Nova Scotia RCMP is investigating a suspicious sudden death in Bible Hill, N.S.
Winnipeg
-
'Different life to the party': Manitoba weighs in on Trudeau’s resignation
Manitobans are reacting to Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Liberal leader and his decision to prorogue to Parliament until March to allow for a leadership race.
-
Injunction extended against protesters in Lemay Forest
A court-ordered injunction against a group protesting the clearing of a Winnipeg forest will remain in place.
-
Man charged with voyeurism at Winnipeg fitness facility
A 26-year-old man has been charged with voyeurism after he allegedly snapped photos of a child undressing in a change room at a Winnipeg fitness facility.
Calgary
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Calgary's lone Liberal MP thanks Trudeau, but says it was time for him to go
Justin Trudeau's announcement on Monday that he intends to resign as prime minister and Liberal leader was needed "to move our country forward," says Calgary's only Liberal MP.
-
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government has signed an agreement with Enbridge that Premier Danielle Smith says will increase exports of the province's heavy oil to the United States.
Edmonton
-
Alberta faces potential short-term gain, long-term pain after Trudeau quits as prime minister
Justin Trudeau's resignation as Canada's prime minister and leader of the Liberal party should benefit the province in the short term, but long-term, the importance of free trade should be central to any Albertan or Canadian effort to sway U.S. opinion with the spectre of potentially crushing tariffs looming, pundits say.
-
'We're in an epidemic': Deaths of two women in alleged domestic abuse cases raising red flags
Advocates for domestic abuse survivors say the deaths of an Edmonton woman and a Calgary mother and her father over the holidays shows domestic abuse is an “epidemic.”
-
Alberta Energy Regulator lacks evidence for tailings spill cleanup claims: ecologist's study
A new analysis of a decade's worth of data kept by Alberta's oil and gas regulator suggests the agency has made unsubstantiated claims about the success of oilsands tailings spills cleanup.
Regina
-
Trudeau's resignation could lead to changes for Sask/Ottawa relationship
Premier Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party will be losing its most prominent "opponent" in the coming months – with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing he intends to step down pending a leadership race.
-
Sask. RCMP make arrest in suspicious death on Piapot First Nation
Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested and charged Robin Kaiswatum, 40, with second degree murder in connection to a death on Piapot First Nation.
-
Saskatchewan politicians react to Trudeau's resignation announcement
Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement on Monday, reaction from politicians around the world quickly began to circulate, including in Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon
-
Judge condemns murder trial delay, asks lawyers to 'turn around' and look at the public 'we serve'
A Saskatoon murder trial opened on Monday with the judge sharply criticizing the time it’s taken to get to trial.
-
These 90-year-old identical twins were born in a Saskatchewan barn, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
-
Province calling for prospective builders on new Sask. Polytech campus in Saskatoon
The province is putting out the call to prospective builders for a major project on the new Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus planned in Saskatoon.
Vancouver
-
B.C. politicians front and centre: Singh, Clark, others on federal stage
As the fallout from Justin Trudeau’s much-anticipated resignation announcement reverberates across Canada, at least two British Columbians will feature prominently in national politics in the coming weeks and months.
-
Hidden in plain sight: Human trafficking and the B.C. connection
You may not see it or even know it’s happening in your community. But it is an evil shrouded in the dark shadows of society, and even experts do not know its full scope.
-
January blues? B.C. Doctor shares winter mental health tips
A Lower Mainland family physician who specializes in mental health says January can be a challenging time, as people transition out of the busy holiday season and re-establish their routines.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. politicians front and centre: Singh, Clark, others on federal stage
As the fallout from Justin Trudeau’s much-anticipated resignation announcement reverberates across Canada, at least two British Columbians will feature prominently in national politics in the coming weeks and months.
-
CBSA says it acted in 'good faith' detaining solar panels in forced labour probe
The Canada Border Services Agency says it acted lawfully and in "good faith" when it detained nearly 50 containers of solar panels belonging to a Victoria, B.C., company over concerns they were made using forced labour.
-
Victoria police cleared of wrongdoing in crash that killed 24-year-old taxi driver
British Columbia's police oversight agency has cleared Victoria police officers of wrongdoing after an attempted traffic stop on a city street led to the death of an innocent man last year.
