Warning: Details and images in this article may be disturbing to readers. The jury trial of a Toronto man accused of attempted murder in a February 2022 Wasaga Beach break-in and stabbing is underway in a Barrie courtroom. Kailend Coote, 24, is accused of beating and stabbing a man inside his 355 River Road East apartment, where police said the man was found bleeding on the kitchen floor. Crown attorney Michael Cousineau said two men broke into the home at about 10 p.m. following a knock on the door answered by the man’s roommate who took stand testifying two men wearing balaclavas, glasses and coats forced their way in. The witness said he saw a red laser pointed on his shoulder and put his hands up. He testified one of the men threatened him and told him to “stay out of it.” The witness said his roommate was hit in the head with a metal pot, then stabbed several times while unconscious on the kitchen floor. The witness testified the shorter of the two men had pulled out a knife and cut his roommate several times from head to toe. The witness said he feared he was next and did not intervene, telling the court he was “traumatized” and could not believe what was happening inside his home. He said men left within five minutes of breaking into the home and he called 911 for help. Rushed to hospital in Toronto in critical condition, the man survived the attack; pictures of his various and graphic injuries were shown to the jury. The court heard the man’s neck wound had to be closed with sutures. He had noticeable bruises on his eyes, a busted lip, bandaged shoulder, and upper thigh. A forensic officer testified finding black zip ties in the kitchen area; one was a single black plastic zip tie; another was doubled up. The witness said neither he nor his roommate had zip ties in the home prior to the assault. The kitchen floor, the court heard, was covered in blood along with other pieces of furniture in the area. Police believe Coote was the shorter masked man who attacked the victim. Coote was arrested by Toronto police a year later; also charged with forcible confinement, breaking and entering and possession of dangerous weapons. The two-week trial is expected to continue Thursday with further Crown witness testimony.
