Phone Found with Rifle Had Links to Whitehawk and Others, Jury Hears at Murder Trial
As the retrial of Dillon Ricky Whitehawk unfolds at Regina's Court of King's Bench, the Crown has presented compelling evidence linking a discarded rifle and a cell phone to the accused. The case centers on two drive-by slayings from late 2019, with Whitehawk facing two charges of first-degree murder for the deaths of Jordan Gaiton Denton, 27, and Keenan Scott Toto, 23.
Discovery of the Rifle and Associated Items
In early January 2020, Regina police responded to a call from a woman who found a rifle in her yard on Montreal Street. Upon arrival, officers recovered an SKS rifle with a live round in the chamber, a weapon that testimony has linked to one of the shootings. Nearby, investigators also found a balaclava, two mismatched gloves, and a cell phone, all of which became crucial pieces of evidence in the trial.
Cell Phone Evidence and Gang Connections
Regina Police Service Sgt. Jeremy Kerth testified that he powered up the cell phone, which was not protected by any locking feature. He discovered the Facebook app signed into an account with the username "Bin Mob." This detail is significant because the jury had previously heard that Whitehawk, as a member of the Indian Mafia street gang, once went by the nickname "Bin Mobbin'." Whitehawk, now 31, pleaded not guilty to the charges when his trial began on March 2.
Surveillance Footage and Glove Match
Further evidence was presented through surveillance footage from the homeowner, played for the jury. The video showed a figure running into the yard before the rifle was discovered. Kerth described a still image from the video, depicting an individual in a white t-shirt and balaclava holding the rifle. Additionally, a video was played in court showing Whitehawk speaking to the camera, wearing a glove with the Under Armour logo. This glove appeared similar to one found near the discarded rifle, drawing the jury's attention to a potential direct link.
Data Extraction and Additional Evidence
RPS Sgt. Chad Sebastian testified about extracting data from the seized phone, explaining the process to jurors. Photos of Whitehawk were shown to the court, stored on a memory card found in the phone that provided extra storage. This evidence, combined with the glove match and phone data, forms a key part of the Crown's case as they seek to establish Whitehawk's involvement in the 2019 killings.
The trial continues as both sides present their arguments, with the jury closely examining the connections between the found items and the accused.
