Biggest mass murder in modern Ontario history and the biggest known biker mass murder in the world. The eight victims were all connected to the Bandidos Motorcycle Club Worldwide. The size of the jury pool is roughly the size of the Bandidos club, and more than six times the size of downtown Shedden, the hamlet a half-hour's drive west of here, where the bodies of eight men were found shot to death in vehicles abandoned on a muddy farmer's field on April 8, 2006.The Bandidos are the world's second biggest outlaw motorcycle club, behind only the Hells Angels.Justice Heeney is presiding over more than a dozen defence lawyers and a half-dozen prosecutors in the trial of Winnipeggers Brett (Beau) Gardiner, 24, Michael (Taz) Sandham, 39, Marcello Aravena, 32, and Dwight (Big D) Mushey; Wayne (Weiner) Kellestine, 59, of tiny Iona Station, outside London; and Frank (Frankie) Mather, 35, of no fixed address. There were so many potential jurors that lawyers for the Crown and defence teams won't even begin questioning them until next week.This week is expected to be spent organizing the jurors into groups and scheduling their return to court.Heeney told potential jurors that if they are selected to the jury panel, they can expect a "challenging and rewarding experience ... one which they will never ever forget."Among the defence team are Tony Bryant and Clay Powell. Bryant, who is the former lawyer for sex killer Paul Bernardo, is representing Aravena. Powell, who successfully prosecuted former Toronto Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard for fraud in the early 1970s and who also defended Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards on heroin charges, is representing Kellestine.

Eight first degree-murder charges were laid against each of the six accused after the discovery of the bodies of George (Pony) Jessome, 52; George (Crash) Kriarakis, 28; Luis Manny (Chopper, Porkchop) Raposo, 41; Frank (Bam Bam, Bammer) Salerno, 43, all of Toronto; John (Boxer) Muscedere, 48, of Chatham, Ont.; Paul (Big Paul) Sinopoli, 30, of Sutton; Jamie (Goldberg) Flanz, 37, of Keswick; and Michael (Little Mikey) Trotta, 31, of Mississauga. The trial had earlier been scheduled to begin last September, but was postponed. There is a publication ban on the reasons why it was postponed.

Armed York Regional Police tactical officers stood watch as special constables asked each person to identify themselves and empty their pockets before they were granted access to the courtroom.Francesco (Cisco) Lenti, 60, of Vaughan, media and police officers filed into courtroom 403 in Newmarket just after 9:30 a.m. Monday.
After Mr. Lenti, who appeared wearing a black shirt and black pants, was led to the prisoner’s dock, Crown attorney Peter Westgate informed Justice Michael Brown that Mr. Lenti’s lawyer, Louie Genova, had fallen ill.His next sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 26.On April 14, Mr. Lenti pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of David John (Dread) Buchanan, 32, the sergeant at arms for the Hells Angels West Toronto chapter. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the December 2006 incident, during which Hells Angels member Dana Carnegie and then-Hells Angels prospect Carlo Verrelli were wounded at Club Pro, in the Jane Street and Hwy. 7 area.According to the agreed statement of facts, at about 10:30 p.m., Dec. 1, 2006, Mr. Lenti arrived to Club Pro, where he was employed as a “cooler”, meaning he was responsible for keeping drugs out of the building and acting as a peacekeeper.About two hours later, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Carnegie, Mr. Verrelli and Scott Desroche, who was also a Hells Angels member, walked into Club Pro.
Mr. Buchanan was celebrating his birthday the night he was killed, according to a posting on a Hells Angels website in the hours after his death.At about 12:53 a.m., Mr. Lenti went to the bar area to order a coffee and water. While at the bar, he noticed the four men and recognized them as Hells Angels, court heard.
After an argument broke out about Mr. Lenti being associated with the Bandidos and the fact he was trying to establish the club in Ontario, the disagreement moved to the lobby, where Mr. Lenti was punched in the eye by Mr. Buchanan, court heard.
Pulling out a nine-millimetre handgun he began carrying after learning of a plot to kill him, Mr. Lenti shot Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Carnegie and Mr. Verrelli. Mr. Desroche escaped into a utility closet when Mr. Lenti pulled the gun, court heard.
Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Verrelli collapsed to the floor after being shot, while Mr. Carnegie fled.Mr. Buchanan was trying to raise himself off the floor while his right hand was extended toward Mr. Lenti.Mr. Lenti shot Mr. Buchanan through his left cheek, ending his life, court heard.While on his way to the club’s door, Mr. Lenti again shot Mr. Verrelli, who was on the floor in the fetal position.
Mr. Lenti left the club, taking the gun. The weapon has never been recovered.
Court heard the entire incident in the lobby lasted 40 seconds. The Hells Angels were not seen carrying guns during the incident, court heard.Both Mr. Verrelli and Mr. Carnegie were treated in hospital.After leaving the closet, Mr. Desroche left the club briefly, but returned and turned Mr. Buchanan over, saying he was attempting CPR.Mr. Lenti surrendered the same day.