Bloody scene described at Karl Hallman murder trial
The first witness at the murder trial of Karl Hallman, 30, described how the accused looked on the night that Nicholas 'Nico' Anthony Baltzis died.
Baltzis, 25, was discovered bleeding on the floor of a home in a south London neighbourhood in January of 2019.
John Learn testified that he was going by 740 Notre Dame Dr. on Jan. 6 of that year to drop off old doors in a dumpster because Baltzis had a bin in the driveway.
When he knocked on the door, Learn said the accused answered the door, “He (Hallman) looked like he was covered in paint...like red.”
Learn went on to say that Hallman, “Opened the door the rest of the way and Nico was lying on the floor...he was faced down.”
He continued, “I noticed a laceration across his stomach and a gash to his head.
Learn said Hallman was angry and when he walked past Baltzis, “He (Hallman) stomped on his head...like you stomp on a watermelon.” Learn said he didn’t know if Baltzis was alive saying, “I couldn’t tell if he was breathing or not.”
Learn asked Hallman what happened, “He responded to me, ‘We got into a fight and I had to stab him.’”
Learn said Hallman asked him what he was supposed to do now. He said while he called 911, the accused left the house.
Hallman was arrested by police a short while later and charged with second-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty.
The trial is continuing with the Crown calling more witnesses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.