A Vancouver construction worker has been convicted in a high-profile gay bashing that left a 63-year-old man with permanent brain damage.
Calling the attack against Ritchie Dowrey "outrageous," B.C. Supreme Court Judge Jocelyn Palmer told a packed courtroom that Shawn Woodward fabricated a sexual advance to justify punching Dowrey in the head.
The 37-year-old was charged after Dowrey was knocked unconscious while playing pool last March at the Fountainhead Pub, a well-known gay bar on Davie Street. Dowrey was at the pub celebrating his retirement with friends.
Throughout the trial, Woodward maintained he acted in self-defence, saying the older man made several unwanted advances towards him during the evening, including groping him.
But Judge Palmer refuted his claims, saying Woodward was not sincere and the only horror he purported feeling was for the punishment that would face him if he was caught.
Witnesses testified hearing the accused say the words "he's a faggot. He deserved it. He touched me. I'm not a faggot," or variations thereof, after they detained him outside of the pub.
Outside the courtroom, Dowrey's close friend Lindsay Wincherauk, who also testified at the trial, told CTV News he feels justified by the verdict because it confirms what he knew all along.
"There was no sexual assault or advance that took place," he said. "He knew where he was and he still chose to lash out the way that he did."
Wincherauk said even though Woodward has been convicted, there is no real winner in the case.
"I'd like Ritchie to come back. He's not coming back. Nobody wins at all. I'm just glad there's an outcome that maybe justice will be served."
Jennifer Breakspear of B.C.'s Qmunity Queer Resource Centre, said the crime "struck the core of Vancouver's gay community," in part because they consider Davie Street to be a safe and sympathetic neighbourhood.
"This happened in Davie Street, at one of our favourite pubs. This struck a member of the community and someone we care a lot about."
Breakspear said the Vancouver police are doing a good job responding to concerns about safety in the gay community but it's important everyone stands up against homophobia.
"Our community is being listened to. The police are looking out for us and we're watching out for each other. We have to."
Sentencing submissions are scheduled to begin Oct. 22. Crown lawyers have not indicated if they will seek a finding that the assault was a hate crime.
Woodward has been released until his next court appearance.
