Accused killer Jonathan Weir was a resident of the luxury compound of his uncle, Michael Wekerle, a former Dragonsâ Den TV personality, when he was charged with murdering his former high school classmate there last week.Weirâs address is listed as Wekerleâs sprawling 80-hectare gated estate, just outside the historic community of Cheltenham, according to a court document that outlines the first-degree murder charge against him.He was arrested after Caledon OPP were called to Wekerleâs estate around 7:25 p.m. on Dec. 27 and found the lifeless body of Tyler Swartz, 18, of Thornhill.Weirâs lawyer Calvin Barry told the Star he wasnât sure exactly how long his 20-year-old client had been living with his uncle at the property.âHe was there for some time, at that location,â Barry said.Police originally charged Weir with second-degree murder but quickly bumped that up to the more serious charge of first-degree murder, which involves premeditation, Barry said.Read more: Teen killed at home owned by Michael Wekerle remembered as âangel of a kidâBarry said he will be fighting for bail for Weir later this month. His hearing is scheduled for Jan. 21 in Orangeville court.âWeâre going to mount a vigorous defence,â Barry said. âHeâs innocent.âItâs not clear what the relationship of the two young men was. Both attended the Thornhill campus of Blyth Academy, a private Grades 5-12 school, until the spring of 2017, a spokesperson for the school confirmed. âGiven the ongoing police investigation, we will not comment further about this tragic incident,â Alicia Della Maestra wrote in an email.Barry said his client is âobviously upsetâ and itâs the first time heâs ever been in custody.The lawyer added that Weirâs parents, who are divorced, both have suitable homes for him to live in as he awaits his trial.âIt may be that he lives at the m ...
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