KAWARTHA LAKES-The fate of William Savage now rests in the hands of a 12 person jury.
Savage was charged with 1st degree murder in the death of Bowmanville’s David Palmer in 2016. Palmer was reported missing on October 6, 2015 but was last seen October 2nd when his picture was captured on video at the Race Trac gas station on Highway 35 according to the OPP.
Police found Palmer’s vehicle on October 14th near Spruce Lake Trail, near Haliburton. On May 7, 2017 human remains were discovered north of Haliburton and were positively identified to be Palmer.
The Crown alleges Savage killed Palmer over an $18,000 debt and financial problems. William Savage and David Palmer had a falling out over the debt according to the Crown, and as a result, William Savage lured David Palmer on October 2, 2015 to the Spruce Trail Lake Rd area near Haliburton under the guise of harvesting a fake marijuana grow op in order to satisfy his debt. Â He instead shot David Palmer in the heart with the 308 Winchester rifle. A rifle that had previously been given to Dylan, William Savage’s son according to the crown.
William Savage admitted to lying to police on two different occasions. When he was first interviewed by police on October 8,2015 about David Palmer’s disappearance he lied to police about when he saw and met with David Palmer last. Savage also
lied about this his police interview on February 4, 2016.
“William Savage and the truth are strangers” Crown Rebecca Griffin told the jury in her closing arguments. “Does being a liar make William Savage a murderer, no. It’s the compelling evidence in this case that makes him a murderer.”
Some of that “compelling” evidence came from Savage’s ex wife Shelley Kinney, who testified that Savage confessed to her that he lured David Palmer to a remote area near Haliburton and then shot him in the heart. “The simple truth is William Savage intended to kill David Palmer in cold blood.” Griffin told the jury.
Defence Counsel John Navarrete painted a different picture for the jury.
“From the evidence, we know that David Palmer and William Savage were long time friends from College. David Palmer had even spent time living with William Savage’s brother Brian Savage.” Navarrete explained to the jury.  “William and David had spent vacations together with their respective families. They had previously rented a cottage at the Bay of Quinte.”
He told the jury that Savage lied to police for no other reason than to hide the location of a future grow-op.
“The lie to police was done to avoid police knowing about their future marijuana grow op
plans in Haliburton across the causeway and not because William Savage killed David Palmer.” Navarrete said. Â “William Savage also lied about this his police interview on February 4, 2016. William Savage testified that he did so because he had to be consistent with his initial lie. William Savage admitted when he lied and he also testified that he was not lying now.”
When it comes to the so called “confession” Navarrete says it never happened.
“She (Shelley Kinney) lacks credibility and reliability. From her evidence you can see that Shelley Kinney held out animus or hate towards William Savage despite her denials.” Navarrete said. “From her evidence, she was angry that her life had been turned upside down by William Savage. I submit, because William Savage never confessed to her.”
It took Kinney a year to come forward to police about the alleged confession.
It’s up to the jury now to decide what really happened that day.
“I submit that William Savage did not cause the tragic death of Mr. David Palmer, and when you go back to deliberate, please remember the evidence, refer to it in your discussions, and
be guided by your good common sense.” Navarrete said in closing.
Rebecca Griffin closed with “The simple truth is William Savage intended to kill David Palmer and in planning and deliberation he killed David Palmer in cold blood and is therefore guilty of first degree murder and that is what I ask you to reutrn.”
The jury began deliberating this afternoon at 3:55 pm at the Lindsay court house.
