Retrial for man accused of killing teen bystander enters final stages

Crown prosecutors in Vancouver continued to make their case for a conviction in the retrial of a man accused of murdering a rival gangster and innocent teen.

The retrial of the man accused in connection with a 2018 gangland shooting that left an innocent 15-year-old dead in Vancouver is nearing its conclusion.

Over the last couple of days, Crown prosecutors have been going through their closing arguments.

They’re laying out why Kane Carter – the accused – should be convicted of second-degree murder in the death of alleged gangster 23-year-old Kevin Whiteside and 15-year-old Alfred Wong in January 2018.

Wong was an innocent bystander killed by a stray bullet while in the backseat of his family car on East Broadway near Ontario Street in Vancouver.

The Crown’s theory is that Carter shot at Whiteside after Whiteside opened fire on Matthew Navas-Rivas, who they say was linked to Carter in a drug dealing operation.

According to the Crown, Wong was struck in the right side of his chest with a single bullet, and he underwent emergency surgery but died a few days later.

Carter has admitted that he flew from Hamilton, Ont., to Abbotsford in October 2017 and began renting a condo under his younger brother’s name the following month.

He also admits he flew back to Ontario one week after the shootings.

The Crown has acknowledged much of its case is circumstantial, relying heavily on video and cellphone records.

A burgundy Pontiac van the Crown has alleged was Carter’s getaway vehicle has been a focal point in the case.

Investigators later found the van parked in the underground parkade of the Surrey condo building where Carter was living.

Carter’s DNA, as well as three fired bullet cases, were found inside.

The defence is set to lay out its closing arguments Wednesday, and the judge is expected to charge the jury on Thursday.