The second-degree murder trial of Kenneth Allan Docherty, 36, opened Superior Court before Justice Bonnie Wein Tuesday with selection of an, eight-woman, four-man jury and a brief opening statement Wednesday by Crown prosecutor Jane Rodger.

Ms. Rodger told the jury she would show that the Orangeville resident killed Tyson Weber of Kleinburg May 2008 to dispose of debt, and not as an act of selfdefence.

Mr. Docherty has pleaded not guilty, and defence lawyer Carrie Ann Bellan is is expected to ask the jury to acquit her client.

The trial, expected to last between four and five weeks, continued Wednesday with financial evidence from Tim Callaghan and Thomas Shannon.

Mr. Callaghan, owner of The Deck Pub and Grill on Mill St., told the court he had met Mr. Docherty in 2005 and, in November of that year, was in the process of selling the establishment to him.

At some point, he was approached by a group of men looking for money from Mr. Docherty. “I didn’t offer money as I didn’t owe them, didn’t know them; I said they had the wrong guy.”

Under cross-examination Mr. Callaghan acknowledged that the men had said that when they returned it wouldn’t be on friendly terms.

Mr. Shannon described his business as Shannon Wholesale Meats, Mississauga company. He said he supplied Mr. Docherty who he understood was taking over The Deck. However, Mr. Docherty had proceeded to issue NSF cheques in payment of the account, the full amount of which has not been settled.

Documentation of the debts, unreadable from the gallery, was displayed for the jury.