Accused Hagersville cop killers' first-degree murder trial starts Thursday

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OPP Const. Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala died on a snowy road outside Hagersville two days after Christmas.

Now, a jury has been chosen in Cayuga for the two people accused of murdering Pierzchala, 28, after he pulled over to help them on Dec. 27, 2022.

The beloved officer had been called to Indian Line and Concession 14 near Hagersville for a report of a car in a ditch. But as he approached the vehicle, Pierzchala was shot at least four times and died later in hospital.

Randall McKenzie and Brandi Stewart-Sperry were charged with first-degree murder.

The slaying triggered public outrage.

At the time of Pierzchala’s death, McKenzie, 27, was out on bail for an unrelated matter. He had been initially denied bail but was eventually released following a review.

McKenzie’s co-accused, Stewart-Sperry, 30, was also out on bail.

Cops said an arrest warrant had been issued after McKenzie failed to attend an August 2022 court date. Police never followed up.

According to the Hamilton Spectator, prospective jurors were asked: “Do you have beliefs or bias about Indigenous men being more prone to violence or violence against the police?”

All answered no.

McKenzie is an Indigenous man.

McKenzie and Stewart-Sperry both pleaded not guilty.

Pierzchala, a former constable at the provincial legislature and member of the Canadian Armed Forces, had been with the OPP for just over a year and only hours before his death had been notified that he had passed his 10-month probation period.

He dreamt of joining the police ranks as a boy and his colleagues have remembered him as a wonderful officer with “the biggest heart of gold you could ever imagine.”

Opening arguments begin Thursday, and the trial is expected to last six to seven weeks and hear from 40 witnesses.

bhunter@postmedia.com

@HunterTOSun

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