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Crown expects to call nine witnesses in Tsawwassen manslaughter trial

After nearly three years, a Tsawwassen manslaughter trial has begun in New Westminster Supreme Court.
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After nearly three years, a Tsawwassen manslaughter trial has begun in New Westminster Supreme Court.

Franco Douglas Sarra, a graduate of South Delta Secondary who now lives in Burnaby, is facing a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of Russ Armfelt, 53, outside the Rose and Crown Pub in Tsawwassen in December 2016.

On Monday morning, the trial opened before Justice Trevor Armstrong in a judge-only trial. The trial was previously supposed to be before a jury, but that was changed during a pre-trial discussion in early October.

Crown counsel David Simpkin and Stephanie Sfikas told the court they plan to call nine civilian witnesses, including past and present employees of the pub as well as customers who were at the pub the night of the incident.

Sfikas said the witnesses would testify to the atmosphere of the pub that night, the demeanour of both Armfelt and Sarra as well some witnesses who would testify to what they observed during the consensual fist fight that occurred outside the pub.

A medical expert is also to take the stand, but due to a recent medical procedure, he may not be able to testify during the two weeks that have been scheduled for the trial. Crown and defense hope to decide on this witness’s status sometime later this week.

Previously, Delta police said Armfelt was located unconscious and unresponsive early in the morning of Dec. 11, 2016 outside the rear of the 56th Street pub. Despite efforts to revive him, Armfelt later died in hospital.

The Optimist will provide further updates as the trial continues.