Hells Angels informer Steven Gault is as skilled at lying, manipulation and deceipt as Gordie Howe, Maurice (The Rocket) Richard, Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky were at playing hockey, Whitby court heard today.
"Have you ever seen a better liar?," defense lawyer Glenn Orr asked a jury today about Gault, the star Crown witness in the murder conspiracy and counsel to commit murder trial of Remond (Ray) Akleh, 46, and Oshawa Hells Angels president Mark Cephes Stephenson, 45..
"Have you ever seen a man or woman to whom lying is so basic?," Orr asked in his closing comments to the jury. "...That's the man that you are to rely upon, if you accept the Crown's position," Orr continued.
"If there was a Stanley Cup for lying, in my submission, he would amply merit it," said Orr, who represents Akleh, formerly of the Hells Angels' elite Nomads chapter.
Akleh and Stephenson are accused of directing Gault, former secretary of the Oshawa Hells Angels, to murder Frank (Cisco) Lenti of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club in the summer of 2006.
The alleged murder plot was never carried out.
Court has heard that Gault and Akleh were each secretly informing on the club.
Gault received more than $1-million while Akleh offered his information for free, court heard.
Akleh earlier testified that he only began informing to protect his family and himself from Gault, whom he described as a violent man, even in Hells Angels circles.
Akleh and Stephenson, each dressed in business suits, looked towards the jury, as Orr spoke today.
They showed little expression while Akleh's wife cried early in Orr's remarks.
About a dozen family and friends sat in the public section of the courtroom.
Orr told the jury that much of the case hinges on how they weigh the credibility of Gault against that of his client, Akleh.
Orr noted that Gault has a long criminal record for fraud and violence, and asked them to contrast this to Akleh's life while in the Hells Angels.
He noted that Akleh testified that he was uncomfortable with how Gault often carried weapons and reveled in violence, including a brawl in which Gault gnawed off a chunk of a man's ear.
"Did you hear about him (Akleh) getting into all of these fights?," Orr asked. "Did you hear about him (Akleh) chewing off someone's ear? Did you hear about him (Akleh) packing a piece (gun), to use the language of the streets? No."
Orr said his client is considerably more honest than Gault, as well as less violent.
"How does Akleh rate up in the truth department against Gault?," Orr asked. "I would submit he's head and shoulders above."
The jury is expected to begin deliberations later this week.