Defence witness testifies about ‘friends’ and man with ‘two black eyes’ in kidnapping trial

Rocky Tangreda told the court about the night four men came to his home unannounced on November 13, 2023.

Warning: This article contains details that may be disturbing to readers.

The defence called a subpoenaed witness to the stand in the trial of two men accused of kidnapping a man in Bradford when he escaped his captors following a beating at a drug house.

Rocky Tangreda told the court about the night four men came to his Bradford home unannounced around midnight on November 13, 2023, that resulted in three men being charged with kidnapping and robbery. Targe Mooroe, 28, of Toronto and Rashaan Monlouis, 26, of Innisfil are in the midst of a two-week trial in Barrie.

Missing Bradford man alleges he was kidnapped, assaulted: two men arrested

Tangreda said he knew all the men and learned there had been a fight at a nearby home and that the complainant was brought to his place to “get away from what was happening” at the other home after an argument broke out because the complainant, who had two black eyes and cuts on his face, was talking to another man’s girlfriend.

Tangreda said the complainant told him he was in “the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Bradford kidnapping trial begins with complainant testifying how he escaped

Last week, the complainant testified he was assaulted, robbed, kidnapped, and driven to another location where he was held against his will. That home was on the property of a small business along Highway 11 south of Bradford. The complainant told the court he had made plans that night to meet and do drugs with a woman named Mandy when he was rushed by two men and beaten. He said his keys, wallet, and cellphone were taken from him and he only escaped when one of his kidnappers fell asleep.

Tangreda described all four men involved as friends and acquaintances he knew from around town. He later admitted, during cross-examination from the Crown, that he bought drugs from the men.

One of the men accused in the case, Ryan Kempton was convicted and sentenced earlier this year for his role in the kidnapping. His co-accused, Monlouis and Mooroe, are on trial accused of robbery and kidnapping. Charges of uttering death threats were dropped by the Crown.

The defence sought to have Justice Jocelyn Speyer deliver a directed verdict and acquit the accused on all the remaining charges. The judge ruled the trial will continue.

The complainant told the court of his long-standing addiction issues and remembered being given drugs, by his captors, including crack cocaine. He identified Monlouis and Mooroe as his kidnappers.

Tangreda testified he knew the men, by aliases, from houses in Bradford he had visited to hang out, drink, and do drugs with others. Tangreda said he knew Mandy and her boyfriend Conor, who has since passed away.

The trial is scheduled to continue Wednesday with further defence witness testimony.