Herbert Hildebrandt assault trial resumes in St. Thomas, Ont. court

Herbert Hildebrandt (R) arrives at the Elgin County Courthouse with his wife Julia prior to the commencement of his assault trial on Aug 2, 2022. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)

Ten months after Herbert Hildebrandt’s assault trial began in St. Thomas, Ont., it resumed Tuesday with witnesses taking the stand.

Hildebrandt, the son of Pastor Henry Hildebrandt of the Church of God in Aylmer, is charged with assault after allegedly pushing Jack Dykxxhoorn to the ground on Dec. 10, 2020.

Dykxxhoorn, 84, told CTV News he and his friends were having coffee at a farm house across the street from the Church of God on Imperial Road north of Aylmer, and decided to put a ‘Be Kind Wear a Mask’ sign near the church property.

He claims Hildebrandt drove his truck into the laneway of the farm house, confronted the group and pushed Dykxxhoorn to the ground, which resulted in cracked ribs.

Tuesday morning, Jack Brower took the stand as a witness for the prosecution. He was there at the farmhouse in the day in question.

When asked by Prosecutor Stephanie Venne what happened that day, he described what he saw.

“A truck came in off the highway and I was driving to go out, and I had to stop,” said Brower. “Jack [Dykxxhoorn] walked out to find out why someone drove in and wouldn’t let him out. This guy [Hildebrandt] shoved him and he fell to the ground like a broken egg.”A sign that reads 'Be Kind, Wear a Mask' is seen Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (Brent Lale / CTV News)

Brower said he was shocked at what transpired. “He just came up, shoved Jack on his chest like ‘bang,’” he said. “I remember him saying ‘I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.’’

Hildebrandt’s lawyer Lakin Afolabi cross-examined Brower questioning his testimony.

Following Brower, Walter Morgan, 81, was called to the stand for his recollections of the events on Dec. 10, 2020.

“I was locking up the farm house when I saw Mr. Hildebrandt drive in,” said Morgan. “Mr. Hildebrandt threw his phone on the dash, rolled up his sleeves, and confronted Jack. Then I told Mr. Hildebrandt he should “F--k off.”

He then said Hildebrandt confronted Dykxxhoorn, but Jack stood his ground.

Jack Dykxhoorn, 84, speaks in Malahide Township on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)“Mr. Hildebrandt kind of bumped him, and next thing I know he pushed Jack and he hit the pickup and then went down on the ground.”

Afolabi cross-examined suggesting Morgan and his friends put the sign there to taunt the members and congregants of the Church of God, and took a photo.

He also suggested that Hildebrandt acted in response to Dykxxhoorn bumping him first. 

Day one of the trial began back on Oct. 22, 2021 with only Dykxxhoorn taking the stand. 

Justice Mark Poland is presiding over the trial which continues today and has two more days including Wednesday set aside.