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i < THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JUNE 19, 2002 PAGE A3 'Stress, secrets' sparked slaying, defence Accused axe murderer acted 'in the heat of passion' BY STEPHEN SHAW Staff Writer WHITBY - A "vortex of stress, pressures and secrets" that simmered under the surface of their seemingly happy marriage exploded in a surge of violence that led James Poland to kill his wife, a jury has heard. ' Lome Sabsay, lawyer for the accused accused axe murderer, said in his opening opening statement yesterday that while Mr. Poland, 38, killed Andrea Schneider in the garage of their Ajax home, the act was committed "in the heat of passion." passion." Mr. Poland has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. Although "it's obvious" he is responsible responsible for his wife's death, "he did not murder her," his lawyer said. He suggested to the Superior Court of Justice jury Mr. Poland is guilty of the lesser crime of manslaughter: an unintentional killing or an intentional killing in the heat of passion "caused by sudden provocation." Ms. Schneider was found dead in • the trunk of the family car parked at • the Durham Centre shopping plaza, at Hwy. 2 and Harwood Avenue, June 7, 2001. Court has heard the couple lived on Perfitt Crescent with their two sons, Thomas and John Michael, and daughter daughter Stephanie, who has Battens Disease, Disease, a debilitating fatal illness that causes blindness and frequent seizures. Mr. Poland was a stay-at-home father father and the primary caregiver to Stephanie, who cannot walk and is fed through tubes, while Ms. Schneider was employed as secretary to the Royal Ontario Museum's board of trustees. While Mr. Poland and Ms. Schneider Schneider appeared to be a normal loving couple, the family was under "enormous "enormous pressure" caused by the strain of caring for their sick daughter, and other marital stresses, he said. Stephanie's suffering dominated the family and each dealt with the pressure OT tUnv r >bïte< n> tauteam in their own way. For Mr. Poland, it was an "almost obsessive devotion," Mr. Sabsay said. He said the family went through a difficult time after moving from Toronto to Ajax, leaving behind a support support network of friends and family. But, in the months prior to Ms. Schneider's death there were "signs of renewed hope." In March, Stephanie had an operation operation to reduce constant vomiting, caused by her illness, and in May the couple were planning to return to Toronto, buying a house in High Park. "Even though life appeared to be getting better... James and Andrea were spiralling towards destruction, in a vortex of stress and pressures and secrets secrets which would only be revealed in that garage that morning," Mr. Sabsay said. A misplaced bicycle Ms. Schneider tripped over outside the home led to an argument that ultimately triggered the violence, he said. "All the hurt and stress... simmering beneath the surface exploded into anger, and horrible things being said and..; done by two people who actually actually loved each other," Mr. Sabsay said. "You will hear about the frustrations, frustrations, tensions and secrets that burst forth in the heat of an argument which, tragically, became much more..." In a phone conversation after his wife's death Mr. Poland told a neighbour neighbour his wife tripped over a bike as she was leaving for work June 7. Sandra Bridger testified Mr. Poland told her that after falling his wife began yelling at him and an argument ensued in the garage. Mr. Poland said Ms. Schneider hit him with a children's plastic golf club or a hockey stick, she said, but he couldn't remember what happened next. A week after the slaying Ms. Bridger learned Ms. Schneider had been having an affair with a man named Colin, who lives in New York, court heard. In subsequent phone conversations, she asked Mr. Poland if he knew about the affair. Mr. Poland said 'No' and got angry, Ms. Bridger testified. In other testimony, a defence expert contradicted the Crown's pathologist who concluded one of two fatal blows to Ms. Schneider's head was likely caused by the cutting edge of an axe, found in the trunk with her body. Dr. David King testified both wounds are consistent with the blunt edge. Mayor recounts Moscow trip BOWMANVILLE - Mayor John Mutton will recount tales from Russia Russia at a luncheon this Friday, June 21. The mayor will talk about his visit to Russia for negotiations between international parties working on ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) research and development centre Canada hopes will be built in Clarington. Iter Canada Host Inc. board member member and former premier Bob Rae will be in attendance to talk about Canada's Canada's progress in its bid to host the $ 12-billion fusion research facility. Spain, France and Japan have also submitted bids to host the facility, a joint venture between the European Union, Japan, the Russian Federation and Canada. tid VV:! r.ncA'ifVreA : "This meeting has every ingredient ingredient to make it an unforgettable experience: experience: international intrigue, high- profile guests, beautiful surroundings, surroundings, great food and drink and the presence of the most enthusiastic business people and residents from across the area," says Ron Collis of the Clarington Business Group. The barbecue luncheon takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Archibald Orchards & Estate Winery, 6275 Liberty St. N., Bowmanville, two kilometres north of Taunton Road. Admission is $8 and includes a gourmet barbecue lunch. Everyone is welcome to attend. More information is available on-line at www.cbg-on- line.ca. TABRICLÆND CANADA'S LARGEST Feemnu Finmr nicTnimiTnn FASHION FABRIC DISTRIBUTOR £ Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday June 20th - 23rd 38 HOUR Nothing Held Back - Everything Goes! Every Fabric, Notion And Drapery Item On Sale Now! 97/4 10% Off Our Regular Prices * Excludes Books, Promotional Hems & Ends OUR "ENTIRE STOCK BASICS LINING, INTERFACING & MORE 30% OFF OUR REGULAR PRICE OUR "ENTIRE STOCK HOME DEC INCLUDING QUILTING FABRICS 30% OFF OUR REGULAR PRICE OUR "ENTIRE STOCK FASHION FABRIC 50% OFF OUR REGULAR PRICE 'SPECIAL SELECTION M S G & CREATIONS DRAPERY ! 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