Evidence submissions have wrapped up in Ottawa Superior Court, and Zachary Wittke’s first degree murder trial will go to the jury Tuesday (January 28th).
The 22 year-old Eganville man is charged in connection with the death of 65 year-old Sheila Welsh of Arnprior, who was killed when her vehicle was struck by a stolen pickup truck driven by the accused.
The accident happened on Daniel Street in Arnprior the afternoon of September 25th, 2017.
During today’s final testimony, Defence Attorney Giancatarino called Donna Downey to the stand.
Downey, who teaches at A.J. Charbonneau Elementary, was stopped at a light on Daniel heading toward White Lake, when she experienced an “Oh my goodness moment” as she saw Wittke’s vehicle careening toward hers and was a split-second away from hitting her, when it suddenly swerved out of the way.
He had been driving north in the southbound lane.
Moments later, Sheila Welsh, who had been stopped near the Daniel and Eady Street intersection, was killed when the F150 Wittke was driving hit her car head on.
The Defence maintains Wittke was intent on self-harm and was aiming for a concrete construction barrier, and not another vehicle, but it struck the Welsh sub-compact car instead.
It’s part of an argument aimed at persuading the jury to convict on grounds of manslaughter.
The Crown maintains Welsh was a victim of a pattern of behaviour that proves intent.
Closing arguments will follow Tuesday before the five-woman seven-man jury deliberates Wittke’s fate.
