Deliberations begin in Whitehawk double murder trial

After three weeks of testimony, jury begins deciding fate of Dillon Whitehawk in 2019 double murder trial.  Mick Favel reports.

The 12-person jury overseeing the double murder retrial of Dillon Whitehawk are now deliberating.

Whitehawk is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the 2019 deaths of Jordan Denton and Keenan Toto.

Justice Michael Tochor gave final instructions to the jury before they began deliberations at noon on Wednesday.

The trial is now in its third week. Over 25 witnesses have taken the stand, including firsthand accounts placing Whitehawk at the scene of the crimes.

Other witnesses included members of the Regina Police Service and three experts who helped piece together what happened.

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On Nov. 9, 2019, a car filled with Indian Mafia (I.M.) street gang members approached Jordan Denton and a friend on the 800 block of Robinson St.

The two men tried to flee but Denton was shot in the back. He died soon after.

On Dec. 1, 2019, a car carrying four I.M. members approached Keenan Toto and a friend on the 1800 block of Queen Street.

After a brief confrontation, Toto was shot. The vehicle then sped away. Toto died at the scene.

Witnesses who testified said the shootings were in relation to a gang war happening in Regina that year.

During testimony, it was determined Denton and Toto were not known to the people in both cars.

In Canada, a first-degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.