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A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 139 No. 1 Tuesday, March 3, 1998 32 Pages 750 (GST included) Phloto by <GRAHAM IPAINE Got it covered, mom» Flve-year-old Ashley Richardson proudly dispimys her ink-covered hands, after b.ing flngerprlnted, as mom Lorle holds her daugh- toes ID passport. The service was provlded et Zellers Saturday, as part of a chlld safety Initiative by Block Parents of Canada and Pelarold. He tearfully recails discovering body By IRENE GENTLE Special to The Champion In dramatic testimony Tbhursday. a witness broke down in tears as be described finding the lifless form of is father-in-law Fred Sheppard in an out- bouse on is Steeles Ave. property. Mr. Sheppard, 77, was found shot to death in March, 1995. Keith Madeley, 25, a former boyfiend of Mr. Sbeppard's granddaughter Lori, is standing trial in Milton for the murder. After more Iban an hour of intense testimony Brian Gagnon Iapsed int sobs as be recalled going to the Sheppard property with is son-in-law James Harrison t0 check on Mr. Sheppard, wbo had been depoessed and ailing. - We pulled in and is car was there," Mr. Gagnon told the court. "I told Jamie (Mr. Harrison) to check the sheds. I tbought maybe he'd fallen and couldn't get Up." Mr. Gagnon. who is married to tbe victim's daugbter Susan, told the jury dma on that niglit Mr. Sheppard's normally over-heated bouse was freez- ing. 'It was ice cold. Tbe stove badn't been on for a while," said Mr. Gagnon. Mr. Sbeppard bad no beat or running water in tbe borne and used a wood stove for wanntb. Mr. Gagnon told tbe jury be lit tbe stove before going 10 searcb tbe grounds, including an out- bouse. "Tbe door was latcbed, wbicb means il was locked from the outside. I didn't tink anyone was in it. 1 opened the door and tbere was Fred," said a tearful Mr. Gagnon as several people attending tbe trial alan anbbed. "Fred was laying on the board witb bis pants down. He was laying on bis side, ai kinri of croucbed up." Mr. Gagnon also bold tbe court it was possible the accused bad Mr. Sbeppard's bank card and personal identification number in is possession Marcb 2-3 of 1995. A series of witbdrawals bad been made from the Sbeppard accounit on those dates. I needed 10 borrmw $40 and Fred had no cash an be lent mie the card. I sent Keitb and Lori 10 pick it up for me. in laie February," said Mr. Gagnon. "I bad the card a couple of days and iben I asked Keitb bo retum il to Fred." .Mr. Gagnon said be neyer saw the card again. Mr. Gagnon alan testified be bad not approved of is tben 14-year-old daugbter Lori's relation- sbip witb tbe accused but let bîm move in witb their family anyway. "I wasn't pleased. I didn't want 10 bave any- ting 10 do wtb bîm," said Mr. Gagnon. "I just didn't want Lori 10 go away. I flgured Iis way I could at least waicb." On Friday, an ilI defense lawyer caused another delay in a trial plagued by interruptions. Tbe cross-examination of Mr. Gagnon bas been postponed until today. However, the jury was told before adjourning Friday that blond found on the sleeve of a leather jacket linked to Lori Gagnon bas been found to belong 10 Mr. Sbeppard. "It is now admitted as a fact that mhe blood found on mhe left sleeve of mhe USA jacket is definitely the blood of Fred Sbeppard," said Crown atorney Bilan O'Mara. Clerk held up at store Halton Regional Police are searcbing for mhe man wbo robbed M&M Meat Sbops in Milton Tbursday nigbt. Entering the Main Street outlet at 8:45 p.m., tbe masked suspect pmoduced a gun and told a female clerk 10 open the cash register. Sbe did as sbe was told and be reacbed over and scooped up buils and coins before exiting mhe rear door. A searcb of tbe area by officers was unsuccessfu. The clerk was not injured and nousbots were fired. Thbe suspect is described as a white male 20 t0 30 years old of average beigbt and witb a tibm build. He was wearing a black ski mask and grey sweatsbirt and bran- disbing a black, long ban'eled bandgun. Anyone witb information on Iis*inci- dent is asked 10 caîl detectives in Milton ai 878-5511 ext. 2415 or Crime Stoppers ai 825-8477. Youths chargsd Two local boys were arrested Thursday night followving the shake- down of a third youtb, according to Halton Regionai Police. The incident, in which a 13-year- aid was threatened and robbed of a smail sum of money, occurred at 8:30 p.m. near the corner of Derry Road and Ontario Street. The victim was not injured and die suspects were located later a short distance away, without incident. Both i 5-year-olds were charged witb robbery wbile ons faces addi- tional counts of failure to comply and uttening tbreats. They'll appear in Milton Court March 20. Fairvtale Fantas ... The Dalmatians . .. The nas... Fuairytaue Fantasy ... The uaimatans ... iTne Maglcof? unaer mmm"