PAUL FOLEY AMP MORTGAGE AGENT Purchases 5 YEAR 4.15% Renewals FIXED Refinances 5 YEAR 3.30% Rental Properties Credit Lines 40+ Lenders HO: 100-480 University Ave. Toronto, ON M5G 1V2 *OAC, E&OE M08005472 OAKVILLE'S BEST REAL ESTATE SECTION INSIDE! www.oakvillebeaver.com 905-827-8009 VARIABLE RATE 321 Cornwall Rd. 321 Cornwall Rd. 321 CornwallRd. Old O k ill M k Olde Oakville Market Olde OakvilleMarket 905.815.8777 905.815.8777 Beaver THE OAKVILLE "Using Communication To Build Better Communities" Afghanistan bound PAGE 3 A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 52 No. 36 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2009 · 64 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) In jury's hands By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Sounds of Africa Ward 4 parents make final pitch By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The fate of an Oakville teen charged with manslaughter now rests in the hands of the jury following closing arguments made yesterday by both the Crown and the youth's lawyer. The summations bring to a close the more than two-week-old trial, which saw the Crown call 13 witnesses. The defence did not call any witnesses and claimed the Crown failed to meet its burden of proof. The six men and six women on the jury are expected to begin their sequestered deliberation today (Wednesday) after receiving instructions on the law from Justice John Murray. The lead up to this moment dates back to an Oakville house party on March 29, 2008. At this party, the defendant, who cannot be named because he was 15 at the time, and Drew Hildebrand, 16, were involved in an altercation. At some point, Hildebrand fell backwards striking the back of his head on a concrete driveway. Hildebrand left the party okay, but became sick during the night and was admitted to hospital the following day. He eventually lapsed into a coma and died on April 8. Assistant Crown Attorney John Dibski said the jury's task is clear because all the key elements of the crime have been established. "The Crown submits it has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the injury occurred here (during the altercation with the defendant)," he said. "Of the 13 eye witnesses, you've heard testimony from nine saying they saw Drew's head hit the ground. Some have said they heard it hit, describing the sound like an empty coconut hitting the ground." RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER VOICES FROM AFAR: Julius Amanya, of the Watoto Children's Choir of Uganda, performs at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School on Tuesday morning. For more pictures, see page 13. Despite a second marathon delegation night regarding accommodation problems in Ward 4 Oakville public elementary schools, there was still no clear direction given to trustees from the community. The three-and-half-hour meeting on Monday night featured 37 delegations, which were once again divided on how to address overcrowding at some schools, like single-track French immersion Ecole Forest Trail, and declining enrolment at other English-speaking schools in the area, like Pilgrim Wood. French immersion parents supported the new set of recommendations proposed three weeks ago by Ward 4 Oakville trustee Kathryn Bateman-Olmstead, which would see two single-track French immersion schools and the English school boundaries redrawn. However, English-track parents were passionately opposed to those recommendations, but were divided in their support of Joudrie's existing recommendations or alternate solutions that would see more dual-track schools. Time is of the essence in this See Victim page 7 See English page 4 1 YEAR NO PAY or NO Rebates SERVING OAKVILLE FOR 25 YEARS! No Pay for 6 months and Huge GST! 175 Wyecroft Rd. Oakville 905.845.6653 Between Kerr & Dorval PLUS We guarantee your valuable Manufacturer and Government Rebates and take care of the Paperwork for you. For Deadlines and Complete Details call 905-844-2949 Ask about our excellent Financing and Great Terms. VISIT OUR ALL NEW WEBSITE YOUR FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS! www.lockwoodchrysler.com