The B.C. Supreme Court trial has begun for the man accused in the July 2013 death of 52-year-old Nanaimo resident Harry Glen Bickle.
Leo Ronald Touchie, 24, was charged with second-degree murder after Bickle was found dead at his Haliburton Street apartment. The trial will see a 13-person jury rendering a decision.
Among the witnesses testifying Tuesday was Dean White, Bickle’s roommate. According to White’s recollection of events on July 30, 2013, he met up with a group of people – including Touchie and a woman – at a Duke Point beach. Alcohol was being consumed and White joined them in drinking.
Eventually, they ended up at the apartment where Bickle was. White said alcohol was consumed. He said when he left for about 20 minutes, the woman was unconscious on a couch. Everyone seemed to be getting along, he added.
Upon his return, White saw Touchie by Bickle’s bedroom door and Touchie was looking and pointing inside the room.
White said he saw the woman, naked from the bottom down, on a bed. Bickle had his knees on the floor, his hands on her hips. Bickle had his shirt and his underwear on.
White said he pushed Bickle off the woman and got her dressed. Touchie asked White if that was all he was going to do.
White testified that Touchie then proceeded to jump on top of Bickle and “wail” on him with clenched fists. Touchie said, “This is what you get for raping somebody,” according to White’s recollection.
White said he told Touchie to stop and Bickle did the same. Touchie eventually stopped momentarily, but began attacking Bickle again. White said Touchie was stomping on Bickle’s chest and crotch area. White said he eventually pulled Touchie off. Bickle rolled over on his stomach. White, the woman and Touchie then left the apartment.
Both Scott Van Alstine, Crown counsel, and Stephen Taylor, defence counsel, declined comment as the trial has begun.
The trial is scheduled to go until June 4.