Mike on Crime

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO – The third and likely final trial in the Boxing Day shooting death of Jane Creba began Monday in Toronto, with two men pleading not guilty to all charges against them.

Creba, 15, was shot and killed while shopping with her family on Dec. 26, 2005. Six bystanders were also wounded.

Louis Woodcock, 22, and Tyshaun Barnett, 22, pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Prosecutors said the two were among a group of men who exchanged gunfire with rival gang members on Yonge St. as the popular street teemed with holiday shoppers.

In his opening statements, the Crown told the jury that Creba was caught in the crossfire between the two groups of men.

If convicted, the pair – the final two accused to be tried – could face a life sentence.

Court heard Jeremiah Valentine, 27, stepped out of a store holding a gun in his hand and began firing north.

Valentine pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in January and was given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 12 years.

The Crown alleges that Woodcock and Barnett fired south.

In 2008, a jury found Jorrell Simpson-Rowe guilty of second-degree murder in Creba’s death.

A youth who cannot be identified was found not guilty of manslaughter in January 2009.

Four adults also accused of manslaughter saw their charges dropped in November 2009.

The trial continues.