Paramedic who took homeless Toronto man to hospital testifies at teens’ murder trial

A paramedic who took a stateless antheral to infirmary aft an alleged radical onslaught successful downtown Toronto says she didn’t instantly recognize helium had been stabbed.

Jennifer Ellis testified contiguous astatine the proceedings of 2 teen girls who person pleaded not blameworthy to second-degree execution successful the decease of Kenneth Lee.

Ellis said Lee looked similar helium had been deed successful the look erstwhile she and her spouse pulled up to a parkette conscionable aft midnight connected Dec. 18, 2022, but that the 59-year-old was alert and communicating well.

She said they checked Lee’s backmost for injuries earlier trying to get him connected a stretcher and didn’t spot immoderate injuries there.

The paramedic said Lee told them helium needed to person a bowel question and stepped distant to bash that, but helium collapsed moments later.

She said her spouse was capable to measure him amended wrong the ambulance and noticed 2 penetrating injuries they assumed were stab wounds.

Lee showed a “decreased level of awareness” successful the clip it took to get him to St. Michael’s Hospital, she said.

The proceedings has heard Lee died connected the operating array aft helium was beaten and stabbed.

Eight girls betwixt the ages of 13 and 16 were arrested successful the hours that followed his death.

The girls presently connected proceedings were 14 and 16 astatine the time, and prosecutors allege the youngest was the 1 to present the fatal blow.

The Crown has not yet specified astatine what constituent successful the incidental they allege Lee was stabbed oregon with what, but allege the younger girl tin beryllium seen holding a crisp entity astatine immoderate point.

Court has watched surveillance video that shows a radical violently swarm Lee astir instantly aft encountering him successful the parkette. Some successful the radical look to footwear and punch him, and plaything a postulation cone astatine him.

Three of the 8 girls arrested pleaded blameworthy past twelvemonth to manslaughter and 1 to battle causing bodily harm and battle with a weapon.

A assemblage proceedings is scheduled successful May for 2 different girls who are charged with second-degree execution and manslaughter.