Victim testifies gun was put to his head, second man stabbed him in attempted murder trial

A now 47-year-old man relived five minutes of horrifying memories from a 2022 assault at his Wasaga Beach home, that left him in life-threatening condition.

Warning: Readers may find details and images in this article disturbing.

A now 47-year-old man relived five minutes of horrifying memories from a February 2022 assault at his Wasaga Beach home, that left him in life-threatening condition.

The man, whom CTV News will not be identifying, pointed the finger squarely at the accused, Kailend Coote, 24, of Toronto, on trial charged with attempted murder.

• Attempted murder trial begins for Toronto man accused in 2022 Wasaga Beach stabbing

The complainant told the Barrie jury about the night he says he was attacked when two masked, hooded men broke into his home. He told the jury one of the masked men pointed a gun to his head and pulled the trigger but said the gun did not fire a shot.

The complainant told the court a second man then bashed him in the back of the head with a metal cooking pot from his stove before stabbing him while he was unconscious on the floor.

He recalled waking up to find stab wounds all over his body, describing cuts to his neck, shoulder, thighs and ankles. He identified Coote as the shorter masked man who attacked him, saying he knew Coote as ‘Little D,’ testifying the two men had an argument about an e-bike the complainant tried to sell to buy drugs.

The complainant admitted to stealing the accused’s phone two days prior to the assault, saying his friends had stolen drugs from ‘Little D’ and he kicked ‘Little D’ in the face when he stole his cell phone.

The court heard from the complainant’s roommate Wednesday. The man said he witnessed the beating and remembered one of the attackers describe the assault as “payback.”

When asked by the Crown how he recognized his masked attacker, the complainant responded, “his eyes.” He testified “The eyes never lie,” and “I knew it was him.” He recalled recognizing the attacker’s voice.

Defence lawyer Jas Wadera tried to cast doubt on the man’s testimony, asking the complainant about his addiction to fentanyl and crack cocaine in 2022. The defence asked the complainant about living in a ‘trap house’ often visited by drug dealers and whether he recalled zip ties being used on him.

The man said he remembered a gun being pointed in his face and coming in and out of consciousness.

• Toronto man arrested in Wasaga Beach 2022 attempted murder investigation

Coote was arrested a year later in Toronto, charged with forcible confinement and breaking and entering, along with possession of dangerous weapons. The two-week trial continues Friday.