Kormendy testimony ‘pure fabrication’: Crown
Accused in arson, attempted murder trial pointed finger at ex-girlfriend
Both the prosecution and the defence hammered away Monday at inconsistencies in the testimony of the accused and the victim in the attempted murder and arson trial of Kenneth Kormendy.
In final submissions, defence lawyer Evan Weber pointed to discrepancies in the testimony of Kormendy’s former girlfriend “that should cause the court some serious concern.”
Assistant Crown attorney Walter Costa described one element of Kormendy’s testimony as “pure fabrication.”
Ontario Superior Court Justice Christopher Bondy will render a verdict Nov. 21.
Kormendy is facing three counts of attempted murder in connection with his former girlfriend, Sheri Rueda, and her two young daughters. He is facing five arson-related charges in connection with a house fire on Balfour Boulevard one year ago.
Rueda’s daughter Isabel, 7, was badly burned and faces multiple surgeries as part of a long recovery. Rueda’s one-year-old daughter, Felicia, was pulled from the burning home unharmed.
Weber cited three key discrepancies in Rueda’s testimony that raise “too many questions to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Between her initial interview with police, the preliminary hearing and the trial, Weber said Rueda changed the number of times Kormendy entered Isabel’s bedroom on the night of the fire.
Weber contends her claim that Kormendy poured gasoline around the bedroom for 15 seconds goes against the forensic evidence.
Weber also noted how Rueda’s “testimony changed” from leading Kormendy out of the bedroom to pushing him out.
Weber argued Rueda’s actions showed she was upset with Kormendy that night, asking “is it possible Miss Rueda, in the context of being angry, took some ill-advised or drastic action that got out of hand?”
He said her pants had traces of gasoline on them, while Kormendy’s clothing had none.
Costa described Rueda’s testimony as “clear, straightforward and consistent,” while Kormendy’s evidence was “inconsistent, at times downright contrary and often illogical.”
He added: “She was clear about him throwing gasoline about and trying to light the lighter” and “she was clear about whether or not she
She was clear about him throwing gasoline about and trying to light the lighter ...
had him leave that bedroom.”
Costa said any purported uncertainty by Kormendy as to whether Rueda and Isabel were in the bedroom that caught fire is “pure fabrication on his part.”
“He knew that they were in there,” Costa told the court.
He noted that elements of Rueda’s testimony were supported by the fire investigation and witnesses, and said “it makes absolutely no sense” that Rueda started the fire.
It’s alleged Kormendy poured gasoline on Rueda as she lie in bed with her daughter because he was upset that their relationship was crumbling and he was asked to move out.