Man denies ordering deaths
Pleads not guilty to murder charges Former boxer, friend shot in 2001
A Toronto man has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first- degree murder in the contract slayings of former Canadian boxer Eddie Melo and his friend Joao ( Johnny) Pavao. Manuel ( Mike) Natalino DaSilva, 53, yesterday stood in the prisoner’s box near defence lawyer Brian Greenspan and quietly told 118 prospective jurors in a Brampton courtroom that he was “ not guilty” of the charges.
Eight jurors have been selected for the high-profile trial, which is expected to last three weeks under tight security. The four remaining jurors are expected to be selected today and Crown prosecutor Steve Sherriff is not likely to deliver his opening address until tomorrow morning.
Specific details of the crime remain to be heard, but all potential jurors already know a little bit about the case, which has taken nearly 41⁄ years to get to trial.
DaSilva is accused of setting up the murders of Melo, 40, and Pavao, 42, his longtime friend. They were shot to death on April 6, 2001, in Mississauga’s Cliffway Plaza.
“ The accused man isn’t charged with pulling the trigger,” Justice Ron Thomas told potential jurors yesterday before final selection got underway in the second- floor courtroom at the A. Grenville & William Davis Courthouse. “The Crown alleges he orchestrated their deaths.
“ A man named Charles Gagne was the hired killer. He will be a Crown witness . . . He will probably say that DaSilva hired him.
“ In essence, this was a conspiracy, a joint venture, and Gagne carried it out.” Gagne pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted on two counts of second-degree murder in September 2003. Thomas told the jury it must be determined whether Pavao was an “ intended target” or simply “ in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Melo’s common- law wife Rhonda is one of the eight witnesses who will be called by the Crown, the jury was told. Thomas earlier this week told prospective jurors that Melo and Pavao were shot by a handgun “ at close range” in a shopping plaza parking lot in Mississauga. “Gagne has already pleaded guilty to two counts of seconddegree murder,” Thomas said. Armed tactical officers have roamed the hallway near the courtroom since jury selection began on Monday. As well, all jurors, family members and media entering the courtroom have been searched. Melo became one of Canada’s most popular amateur boxers during the 1970s, building a record of 93- 4 before turning professional at 17 in Quebec. By the time he retired from the ring in 1986, Melo had amassed a professional record of 32 wins — 27 by knockout — with nine losses and two draws.