Trial of pair accused in Starbucks homicide begins

The trial ofLawrence Sharpe, 40, and Oldouz Pournouruz, 35, is underway in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.

The two areeach facing a count of manslaughterin the death ofMichael Page-Vincelli. They have both pleaded not guilty.

According to witnesses,a woman tossed a cigarette butt out her car window on July 12, 2017, while near the Starbucksin the 6500 block of Hastings Street in Burnaby. Page-Vincellipicked it up and threw it back at her.

There was an argument and the woman, allegedly Pournouruz,went into a nearby bank and came out with her partner, Sharpe,and the pair followed Page-Vincelli into the Starbucks.

According to witnesses inside the coffee shop, Page-Vincelli was punched and fell, hitting his head on the counter. He was taken to hospital but died three days later from his injuries.

In outlining the case, Crown counsel said the jury would hear from witnesses of the fatal punch, witnesses of the confrontation in the parking lot and experts.

The trial is expected to last 19 days.