The father of two accused took the stand in an arson trial in Dauphin this morning.
27-year-old Sean Nepinak and 25-year-old Seamus Nepinak are facing four counts of arson and one count of participating in the activities of a criminal organization. The charges relate to a house fire on August 31, 2013 in which a teenager was badly burned. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Their father was called as a witness for Sean only, though he was cross-examined by Seamus' lawyer and the Crown attorney.
Their father told court he gave the two $1,000 on August 31st, through a third party -- a woman he says he didn't know --, to leave for Vancouver. He said Sean told him they were scared people from the Manitoba Warriors gang were after them and going to get them, so they wanted to leave.
The trial continues with another witness at 2 this afternoon.
