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"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 7, 2000 - 13 Jury selection in police shooting trial begins By Rik Davie Special to the Star Jury selection has begun in the trial of three police officers charged in a fatal shooting nearly two years ago. As many as 450 poten- tial jurors will be used as a pool at the Ontario Superior Court in Whitby. The selection process, which may began Monday morning. The three officers charged in the December, 1998 shooting of a Sunderland area man and the wounding of his son arrived at the courthouse under tight security to begin what is expected to be a six-week trial. Const. Al Robins, a vet- eran Durham Regional Police officer, is facing wounding and weapons charges, while one York Regional officer is charged with second degree mur- der in the death of 44-year- old Tony Romagnuolo; another York officer faces lesser charges. The story allegedly began Dec. 20 1998, when Rocco Romagnuolo was stopped by York Regional Police and charged with impaired driving. The 18- year-old was also charged with possession of a con- trolled substance after a small amount of marijuana was found by police. Sources say that police take days, then phoned the Romagnuolos' Sunderland area home, at which time older brother Enzo was alleged to have made threats to a police officer. Rocco was later escorted home. On the night of Dec. 28, 1998, police again called the Romagnuolo home, this time to speak to Enzo regarding the allegations of threats to an officer. (Enzo Romagnuolo has since had charges of threatening withdrawn in an Newmarket court.) After the conversation, York Region Constables Randy Martin and Michael Hoskins traveled to the Romagnuolo home. They were joined by Durham Region Const. Nancy George, and veteran officer Al Robins. The officers from Durham were there as a matter of procedure, as the York officers were entering another jurisdiction. Shortly after the two cruisers and four officers arrived at the home, Const. George interrupted a rou- tine notice to her dispatch to call for help. She told dispatch that one officer and two suspects were "down", and that ambu- lance and back-up were required. Sometime during these events she hit her 10-33 alarm. The shrill radio tone of a 10-33 call is the sign that an officer Can't get to church on Sunday? How about Saturday? Can't get to church on Sunday? The Anglican Church of the Ascension on North St. in Port Perry will be holding a service on Saturday afternoons at 5 p.m. "It's an effort to reach out to those who may not be able to attend church on Sunday morning because of work or family commitments," says Rev. Gary van der Meer. "Other churches have had success with this and we felt it was something we wanted to do for the community," said Father Gary. The service will not exceed an hour in length and will feature upbeat worship music. "We have decided to try this for six months and see if it meets the needs of enough people to make it a more perma- nent part of our church life," said Father Gary, adding that the Saturday afternoon service renews a Biblical view of the Sabbath as starting with the previous evening. People who have not regularly been able to attend church on Sundays are welcome, both Anglicans and others. Further information may be obtained by call- ing the Church of the Ascension, at 985-7278. pf 8 needs assistance. Ambulance, fire and police converged on the home, where Const. Martin had been hit by a bullet that grazed his face, Tony Romagnuolo lay on the ground with mortal wounds to his abdomen, and Rocco Romagnuolo had been hit in the abdomen by police gunfire. It is alleged that Enzo had to be forcibly subdued and placed in a police cruiser. Within minutes of the shootings the province's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) began a probe of the matter. At the same time, the Ontario Provincial Police began an investiga- tion into the shooting of Const. Martin. The parallel cases would later set off a storm of controversy on their own. On March 31, 1999, the SIU released news that shook the policing commu- nity across the country: 0 York Region Const. Randy Martin was charged with second degree mur- der in the confrontation. Q His partner, Const. Hoskins, was charged with assault with a weapon and careless use of a firearm. a Const. Al Robins was charged with assault caus- ing bodily harm using a firearm and aggravated assault. The three officers have made court appearances ever since, under heavy security and the watchful eyes of Durham Regional Tactical Support officers armed with submachine guns. In June of 1999, the Romagnuolo family filed a civil action against the offi- cers and their depart- ments, claiming damages in excess of $40 million. The trial itself is expect- ed to last five-to-six weeks in front of Superior Court Justice Mr. Archie Campbell. The Star will follow the case as the trial progress- es. Ontario Hyundai You're just one drive away from believing! y ZL I@REVI ILIAD GPR 55 240] S104 2 Feist: FINANCING : 668-5100 «fr Pp 2001 Santa Fe GLS OF 5.67 PURCHASE FINANCING LN NE. "KK EK =K | y Xe 1o3 Qe ole) 11 SK CAN 179 012 I 3" PURCHASE FINANCING? "Driving is Believing 3 (905) 1505 Dundas St. E., Whitby Email: ontariohyundai@home.com "Leasing program available from Hyundai Financial Services based on 2001 Accent GS 3-door MSRP from $12,195. 2001 Elantra VE Sedan MSRP from $17,075. 2001 Santa Fe GLS MSRP from $28,005, 2001 Tiberon SE MSRP from $21,405. Interest rate 6.60%/5.95%/7.19%/ 8.90% for a 48 month walkaway lease. 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