2 men guilty of murdering Hells Angels recruit Greg Slewidge

A jury in Perth, Ont., has found two men guilty of first-degree murder for killing Hells Angels recruit Greg Slewidge in nearby Beckwith Township more than four years ago.

Crown prosecutors alleged Michael Clairoux and Lee Marazzo planned and carried out the killing of the 39-year-old at a legal marijuana grow-op on Sept. 24, 2020.

They were each charged with first-degree murder in January 2022 and both pleaded not guilty.

The jury started deliberating mid-afternoon Wednesday and came back with the verdicts Thursday afternoon.

After it was read there were tears and hugs among the victim's family, and on the other side of the aisle, among those who knew the accused. Others left the courtroom immediately.

The penalty for first-degree murder is life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years. Lawyers for Clairoux and Marazzo indicated Thursday they plan to appeal the verdict.

Family says it's haunted, scarred by loss

Slewidge's family, including his father Lyndon — a former Ontario Provincial Police officer and well-known Ottawa Senators anthem singer — attended the final arguments and shared victim impact statements Thursday.

"I have been robbed, beaten down, wounded, severely scarred and left to think and mourn daily my son's life, what happened and what his life would have been," said Lyndon, describing the fear his family also felt after his son was killed without any arrests for months.

He added that his exhaustion and heartbreak after his son's death left him unable to sing.

Greg Slewidge's youngest sister Heather Ball told court he was both a friend and big brother.

"Every day feels incomplete without him," she said, saying she will never have closure and is "constantly haunted" by the loss.

During the statements supporters of the two convicted men sat solemnly as Slewidge's family dotted away tears from their eyes.

Debates over video

The court case centred on high-definition surveillance footage and conflicting narratives over who is seen in those videos. 

The Crown said during closing arguments this week the two men surprised Slewidge, who was set to become a full-patch Hells Angels member the next week. They allegedly used a rope to strangle him and left his body with a knife in the back. 

Prosecutors say the men were hired by a member of the Red Devils Motorcycle Club, a known affiliate of the Hells Angels, following a dispute over car repairs. 

Those lawyers claimed the clothing, actions and other details match Clairoux and Marazzo.

Lawyers for both of the accused questioned the reliability of the surveillance footage and the identification of their clients, saying they may have been set up.

Extra security was in place for the proceedings. The courtroom was guarded by police and everyone entering was searched.

The victim and accused had supporters in the room, leading to a tense atmosphere during portions of closing arguments.