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First-degree murder trial underway for drive-by shooting

By: Mike McIntyre

Posted: 01/7/2013 4:16 PM

Court of Queens Bench at the Law Courts (JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

A trial is underway for two Winnipeg men charged with a deadly drive-by shooting linked to gang conflicts in the city.

Dillon Douglas Lecoy, 20, and Stephen Mitchell McKay, 34, have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder for the July 2010 slaying of 18-year-old Dylan Ferland. The pair have elected not to be tried by a jury -- as is normally the case with murder charges -- and instead will have their fate decided by a judge alone.

They appeared in court today for the start of the two-week hearing.

Ferland was gunned down while standing outside a home on the first 100 block of McKenzie Street. He was a known associate of the Native Syndicate street gang. Police said his killing was a targeted attack, which is reflected by the first-degree murder allegations.

Ferland suffered a massive chest wound and died at hospital after police tried to save his life with first aid. Neighbours reported hearing as many as ten shots ring out just before midnight.