A man accused of murder was caught on video smashing a piece of wood over a woman’s head in a building before fleeing the scene, according to testimony presented in court.

The Crown alleges that Keith Overholt, seen in the footage, waited about 20 seconds before approaching the woman and repeatedly hitting her with a stick. The attack only ended when nearby residents emerged from a building and frightened him.

Two hours later, Overholt was allegedly seen at an Esso gas station on King Street, where he allegedly stole a hat. Although his clothes had changed, video evidence shown in court showed he was still wearing the same New Balance running shoes.

Hours after the gas station incident, Crown said Overholt was seen in an alley on Duke Street near South James Street. The body of 29-year-old Andrew Ainscow was found in this area on the morning of November 10, 2020. Ainscow had been brutally stabbed 37 times.

During today’s hearing at the John Sopinka Courthouse, the Crown called forensic biologist Monica Sloan as an expert witness. Sloan testified that blood stains found on the New Balance shoes Overholt was wearing when he was arrested were tested and the results showed there was a one in a trillion chance that the blood belonged to Ainscow.

The Crown also presented evidence regarding allegations that after Ainscow’s murder, Overholt swung a knife at another man, but that man was not injured.

The Crown is nearing the end of its case.