Whitehawk Trial: Regina Night Recalled Before Jordan Denton's Final Moments
During the ongoing trial of Dillon Ricky Whitehawk at Regina's Court of King's Bench, jurors heard detailed testimony about the quiet night preceding Jordan Denton's tragic death. The court proceedings, now in their second day, focused on witness accounts from the early morning hours of November 9, 2019.
Witness Testimony Reveals Discovery Scene
Krista Cyr, a key witness in the case, described her emotional discovery of Jordan Denton near the steps of her Regina home. Initially fearing the injured man might be her brother, Cyr testified that she recognized Denton upon closer approach. She recalled hearing distinctive gurgling sounds coming from the 27-year-old victim.
"If he would see my daughter walking around by herself, he would like walk her home, make sure she got home safe and everything," Cyr told the jury, her voice filled with emotion during Tuesday's proceedings. She described Denton as someone who had previously watched over her daughter, making his violent death particularly painful.
Attempted Lifesaving Measures
Cyr testified that she immediately connected the "pop" sound she had heard earlier to what she believed was a gunshot. Understanding the gravity of the situation, she instructed her then-boyfriend to call 911 while she attempted to provide emergency care to Denton.
"I tried to provide lifesaving measures," Cyr stated in court. "My thought was that I needed to get oxygen to his brain." She described Denton's fearful eyes looking at her and then scanning their surroundings, though he remained unable to speak.
Emotional Courtroom Account
The witness became emotional again when recounting the arrival of emergency services. "I went inside and I started crying because I knew he was going to die because they weren't trying to give him any CPR or anything," she told prosecutor Adam Breker. "I was getting mad. I thought he was still breathing. I thought he was still alive."
Despite her efforts and those of paramedics who later arrived on scene, Denton was pronounced dead at the location.
Background of the Shooting Incident
Cyr provided additional context about the events leading up to her discovery of Denton. She testified that she and her boyfriend were walking home when they heard the suspicious noise. "Things were quiet, but then we heard a 'pop,' so we ducked into an alley and then into a backyard," she explained to the court, noting they encountered another woman hiding in the same yard.
The witness acknowledged she did not see any suspect during the incident, explaining that her focus was on ensuring she remained unseen herself.
Defense Questions and Trial Context
During cross-examination by defense lawyer Thomas Hynes, Cyr agreed that she had been drinking that night, though she characterized herself as not being a "big drinker." She also acknowledged that her recollection of the time spent attempting to help Denton might have been affected by adrenaline.
Dillon Ricky Whitehawk stands charged with two counts of first-degree murder—one for Jordan Denton's death and another for the December 1, 2019 death of 23-year-old Keenan Scott Toto. The Crown has characterized both deaths as drive-by shootings. Whitehawk pleaded not guilty to both charges when his trial began on Monday.
The trial continues to unfold in Regina's Court of King's Bench, with the jury hearing detailed accounts of the events surrounding both alleged murders. The proceedings represent a significant legal examination of violent crimes that have impacted the Regina community.
