John Albert Buchanan during a break on the opening day of his trial. He's charged with second murder in the death of Richard Sitar on Sept. 11, 2017. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

murder trial

VIDEO: Trial begins for man accused of murder at south Nanaimo apartment

Oct 19, 2020 | 2:45 PM

NANAIMO — Crown prosecutors believe surveillance video will help connect the dots in the murder of a Nanaimo man at a Nicol St. apartment unit.

Crown prosecutor Leanne Mascolo opened the BC Supreme Court trial on Monday, Oct. 19 by saying surveillance footage showed John Albert Buchanan leaving the apartment of victim Richard Sitar on Sept. 11, 2017.

Buchanan faces second degree murder charges after allegedly beating Sitar several times in the head with a heavy object.

Mascolo said the footage showed Sitar entering his unit and being joined shortly after by Buchanan, who wore a distinct bright green t-shirt.

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Court heard Sitar was a well known drug user who traded stolen property, while Buchanan was a frequent visitor to his unit.

Sitar’s spouse returned to the unit with a neighbour roughly 20 minutes after Buchanan left. She claimed to find him seriously injured on the couch.

He later died of his injuries.

Surveillance footage from the nearby Balmoral Hotel parking lot showed Buchanan with an item covered by a dark piece of clothing.

Mascolo alleged the covered item was the murder weapon, which police were unable to locate.

Buchanan was arrested by Nanaimo RCMP on Sept. 13 and denied any responsibility, saying he didn’t know what happened to Sitar.

He was confronted with the surveillance evidence and reportedly told police he’d found Sitar bleeding out of his head, but didn’t tell police because he didn’t want to go to jail.

Buchanan then accused Sitar’s wife of killing him.

He once again denied responsibility during a break in Monday’s proceedings.

“I was there the day that he died I can say that, but I did not do it, that’s all I’m going to say,” Buchanan told reporters.

Buchanan said he doesn’t know if he will testify.

Mascolo said the Crown would call on multiple expert witnesses during the trial.

She said a key aspect of the Crown’s case is a confession from Buchanan relayed by a cell mate.

“The only way this cell mate could have known this information would be from the accused because he committed this act,” Mascolo said.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes