A lawyer representing a London man on trial for second-degree murder in connection with his girlfriend’s death claimed on Monday that her client acted in self-defence, as heard in a courtroom in St. Thomas.
The Crown alleges that David Yates, 53, caused the death of 22-year-old Caitlin Jennings by beating her to death with a hammer sometime between July 3 and July 5, 2023. Police discovered her body on the living room floor of Yates’s west-London home on July 5 after he made a confessional call to 911.
As the trial entered its second week on Monday, the court viewed crime scene photos showing Jennings with numerous wounds across her body. The forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy found over 200 individual injuries, many of which were crescent-shaped.
The Crown wrapped up its case on Friday, and Yates’s attorney Cassandra De Melo stated on Monday that she would argue her client acted in self-defence. De Melo suggested that what the Crown could prove at most was manslaughter, which is a lesser charge where someone causes an unlawful death without intent.
According to Canadian law, a person may be found not guilty if it’s determined they acted in self-defence due to believing force or threats were being used against them.
De Melo noted that even if self-defence claims are dismissed, it remains the Crown’s responsibility to prove that Yates intended to kill Jennings.
“I’m going to say that in trying to defend himself, he went too far,” said De Melo. “But that it was neither with the intention of killing her nor was he reckless about whether or not the harm caused would lead to her death because he was in a volatile, dynamic situation.”
De Melo also indicated that Yates might testify in his own defence during this judge-only trial.
![]()
Caitlin Jennings was found dead in a house on Kingsway Avenue in west London on July 5, 2023. Her boyfriend David Yates was charged with second-degree murder in her death. (Submitted)
“I was just trying to seek some help for her,” said Janssen. “To see about the potential for Caitlin to move out west so that she could start fresh. I just think the relationship she was in with David was unhealthy and she needed a new start and to re-focus on herself.”
Durng cross-examination, Crown attorney James Spangenberg asked Janssen if she knew about evidence presented earlier concerning extensive wounds found on Jennings’s body.
“I think there’s a concern knowing that,” she said while adding she’s no longer talking with Yates.
Also testifying Monday was Constable Jordan Keener from Strathroy-Caradoc police department.
He described responding to a domestic dispute call made by Yates regarding an altercation involving Jennings back on January 11, 2023 at an address located on Francis Street.
Keener reported that at the scene, Yates showed him video footage recorded on his phone depicting Jennings attacking him. In this short shaky video clip, Jennings moves towards Yates while sounds of him grunting can be heard. Although captured via Keener’s body camera when played back, Yates didn’t want it sent over or pursue charges against Jennings according to Keener’s testimony.
Keener statedthat conditions were placed upon Jennings prohibiting contactwith Yates.
Earlierinthis trial, Yatestriedto plead guilty tomanslaughter butthe Crown turned downthat offer.
Thetrialis settocontinueon Tuesday.
Source link
A Friend Expressed Worries About Their Relationship
Megan Janssen, a long-time friend of Yates, was called as a witness. She told the court about an incident where Yates showed her a cut on his head allegedly caused by Jennings earlier in 2023, months before Caitlin’s death. “There was a situation where he was assaulted by her,” said Janssen. “He was struck on his head by her. He informed me and he showed me the wound on his head.” Janssen also mentioned she attempted to reach out to Jennings’s mother for help regarding her daughter.Source link
