Photo of Lawrence Allen Thompson from his Facebook page
Proceedings concluded at The Ontario Court of Justice for the Lawrence Allen Thompson trial.
Crown attorney Kristina Mildred was the first to provide submissions. Throughout the proceedings she called three civilian and three police officers as witnesses. Two of the civilian witnesses, a husband and wife on their way to church, both claimed they saw an individual carry a child into his vehicle in an aggressive manner. The vehicle in question was a Chevrolet Impala, the description matching that of Thompson’s car.
The final witness the Crown brought forward earlier in the trial was Lori-Ann Kirk, a detective constable with the London Police Service during the time of the incident. She was partnered with Sgt. Eric Potasse. The two individuals initially arrested Thompson in connection with the abduction. Kirk testified that their investigation lead to the accused individual’s home, as a dash cam from the day of the incident showed a vehicle matching Thompson’s. Kirk stated she found Thompson to be nervous during the arrest.
The Crown attorney argued that Thompson placing the child in his car without her consent was in fact child abduction.
Defense attorney Lakin Afolabi in contrast argued that Thompson merely put the child in his vehicle with the intention of taking her home. Along with this, the defense scrutinized the fact that the child, 4-years-old at the time of the incident, changed her story on multiple occasions. This in the eyes of the defense made her a non-credible witness. Afolabi went on to mention that the child not resisting Thompson placing her in the vehicle means he could not be aware she did not want to go with him. Based on these ideals, Afolabi argued that Thompson did not intend to put the child in harm.
The Crown concluded by stating a child not showing resistance can not be considered consent. Mildred stressed the importance for the judge to believe the child’s testimony, citing her willingness to admit when she was not sure of a fact proves she was answering questions honestly. During the child’s testimony, she claimed the suspect pulled down her pants while she was in his moving vehicle.
A decision in the trial is expected May 10.
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