1 week Ago By Toronto Sun
They are haunting texts by a man who appeared obsessed with “shooting out with the cops” and researching the penalties for murder. And just days later, on Dec. 27, 2022, Randall McKenzie was under arrest for allegedly gunning down OPP Const.
Greg Pierzchala in cold blood. The 28-year-old rookie, who had just passed his probation that morning, had only just arrived at the scene of a vehicle in the ditch, near Hagersville, when he was hit by six bullets from a Glock 19. Court heard Wednesday that the vehicle in the ditch — a Nissan Armada — had been stolen the previous day from a restaurant parking lot in Hamilton.
Inside were numerous items that had also been reported stolen that month. McKenzie 27, and his then-girlfriend, Brandi Stewart-Sperry, 32, have each pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder . In an agreed statement of fact, court heard McKenzie’s Motorola cellphone was seized by the OPP following his arrest hours after the murder.
On it, they found a video of McKenzie driving a car while holding a firearm, six videos of him having sex with Stewart-Sperry, and a dozen visits to websites detailing the Criminal Code penalties for murder and manslaughter. Also in the agreed statement are phone texts read for the jury which appear to show McKenzie’s life was clearly unravelling: his love life was in tatters; his ex had sold all his stuff, including his son’s presents; the police were after him; and he seemed to be vacillating between suicide or leaving the province “for the tropics.” But what he knew for sure, it seemed, was that he wasn’t going back to jail.
On Dec. 14, 2022, 13 days before the officer was killed, McKenzie was conversing with someone identified only as “Lodi.” “I’m killing myself,” he wrote in the recovered text messages.
“I so f—ed up. I’m going to do some ATM and I’m shooting out with the cops. That’s it for me.
” Recommended video “Lodi” told him he had a son who needs him and whatever he’s done or is going through can be fixed. “Thanks for everything but ill (sic) probably get a way again. We made spike strips and f—ed the cops up last night.
But after Candace sold all my s–t with my son’s presents I’m shooting there (sic) tires this time.” McKenzie told her he had gotten himself into deep trouble and was losing his mind. “So other than getting back with my ex I am actually done most likely and this time it’s not going to end me back in jail for rest of (son’s) and my life,” he said.
“But my life most likely done. Not tryna be all negative but I just wanna live happy for a bit as I can.” Police also recovered a chat McKenzie was having with “Goof Tool” on Dec.
20, 2022 where they discussed the police looking for them. Goof Tool, who the court heard was not Stewart-Sperry, asked if they could just leave together. “Nah, I’m shooting out with the f—ers,” McKenzie texted in reply.
“Reals–t. I’ve been ready. “I did a ATM the other night tell them that.
They’ll think twice about coming for me because I threw spike strips and popped there (sic) tires and everything I had so much fun. Just ready for them to hit but we got away.” He then told her he missed Brandi but wasn’t going to be here very long.
“I’m planning to cut province and then get fake I’d to tropics.” She asked to come along, telling him she loved him and they were supposed to get married. McKenzie told her he was going alone.
“I can’t have love when all I can do is talk about shooting out with cops.” A week later, Pierzchala was executed in a hail of gunfire, his holster still locked. The trial continues.
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