Trial begins for two people accused in shooting death of OPP officer near Brantford

CAYUGA, Ont. – Opening arguments are underway in the trial of two people accused of murder in the shooting death of a provincial police officer more than two years ago.  

Ontario Provincial Police Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala was shot on Dec. 27, 2022 while responding to a vehicle in a ditch west of Hagersville, Ont., near Brantford. 

Randall McKenzie and Brandi Stewart-Sperry were each charged with first-degree murder in the 28-year-old officer’s death.  

Both of the accused have pleaded not guilty.

Police have said that Pierzchala was killed the same day he learned he had passed his 10-month probation period with the OPP.

The trial is set to take place in Cayuga, Ont., a community near Hagersville, and is expected to last six weeks.  

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2025.

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