Neil Harris murder trial

The murder trial of Hamilton barber Neil Harris, who was gunned down outside his Hamilton mountain barbershop in February 2016 continued today. On trial for his murder are Erick Reid and Odain Gardner.

In court, the jury heard from a crown witness who is currently in custody on a charge of second degree murder. His name cannot be identified under a publication ban. He claimed he knows the accused by their nicknames ‘Ness’ for Erick Reid and ‘Odeazy’ for Odain Gradner.

The witness says on the day of Harris’ murder, he was at a house to buy marijuana from Reid. The witness claims both Reid and Gardner arrived at the house following Harris’ murder. He described a conversation he had with Reid.

“…He talks about how about Odain effed up his life, ruined his life, that wasn’t the way it was supposed to happen.”

“…only thing he could remember was walking over the victim with blood leaking out of his chest.”

“…he said if he had a choice, he never would’ve gotten into the car with Odeazy.”

The witness also described a conversation he had with Garnder at the Barton street jail when they shared a cell. He says Gardner was upset with a friend because he believed he told his girlfriend what happened, who then told Harris’ widow at the funeral. The witness said Gardner told him that if Roach said anything more about it quote, “I’d kill him too.”

Court also heard today from a crown expert witness, the forensic pathologist who performed Harris’ autopsy.

The defense will begin their cross-examination of the witness on Monday