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Trial begins for man accused of stabbing Mission homeless victim

John Ross Powers pleads not guilty to aggravated assault charges after 2022 incident
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John Ross Powers pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault charges on Monday (Oct. 7) in the first day of a trial related to the stabbing of a homeless man in 2022. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

A trial began on Monday (Oct. 7) related to the stabbing of a homeless man in Mission in 2022. 

John Ross Powers, 38, pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated assault at Abbotsford Supreme Court. 

The victim, Arthur Lonsdale, testified on the first day of the trial and was questioned by the Crown.

The charges stem from an incident on Sept. 12 in which Lonsdale was stabbed in the chest and another incident six days earlier where he alleges he was stabbed in the neck. 

Lonsdale lived in Mission for approximately 15 years but now lives outside of the Lower Mainland. 

He testified that Powers stabbed him on Sept. 12, 2022 near the Tim Hortons at the Junction Shopping Centre. Before he was stabbed, Lonsdale said he was smoking cannabis and was also using heroin and fentanyl. 

Mission RCMP said at the time that they were called to a fast food restaurant at The Junction Shopping Centre on London Avenue after an injured man came in and asked for help.

First responders quickly learned that the 37-year-old man had a serious stab wound to his chest. He was rushed to hospital by air ambulance.

Police at that time said a suspect had been identified, and they were trying to locate him.

Powers was charged on Sept. 14, 2022 and remained in custody until his release about a month later, according to the court database.

Lonsdale also testified that Powers stabbed him in the neck behind Embers BBQ in Mission six days earlier. 

He said he was walking through the forest with Powers. He said he lost consciousness and woke up with an injury to his neck but didn't see anyone around. Lonsdale testified that immediately before sustaining the injury, he was alone. 

He said he went to the hospital and initially told police he got the injury from a fence because he "didn't want to rat" on Powers. 

The defence is slated to cross-examine Lonsdale on Tuesday (Oct. 8) and four police officers will also testify. 

-With files from Vikki Hopes

READ MORE: Charge laid in stabbing of homeless man in Mission

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Dillon White

About the Author: Dillon White

I joined the Mission Record in November of 2022 after moving to B.C. from Nova Scotia earlier in the year.
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