Closing submissions delivered at trial for Ajax man charged with girlfriend’s murder

A man from Ajax faces trial for allegedly murdering his girlfriend, Jennifer Polak, in March 2024. Defending lawyer Krystal Manitius argued that Severin's intoxication caused him to lose control, preventing him from forming the intent to commit murder. Manitius presented evidence that Severin appeared disoriented and possibly under the influence of a drug or hallucinogen when officers arrived at his apartment.

Severin claimed he consumed cocaine and a sleeping pill before the incident, which his lawyer suggested caused memory lapses and incoherent behavior.

The Crown attorney, Julie O’Connor, countered that Severin's actions were driven by anger rather than intoxication. She emphasized Polak's history of experiencing jealousy, controlling, and abusive behavior from Severin in the months leading up to her death. O’Connor also detailed various incidents of physical violence between the couple over the year prior to the fatal assault. She contended that Severin had no legitimate reason to be angry when Polak decided to end their relationship.

According to O’Connor, Severin was lucid and coherent during the murder, as evidenced by his ability to text Polak and make accusations against her. The Crown argued that the lack of cell phone activity between 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. indicated that Severin was engaged in the act of killing Polak. The prosecutor highlighted the severity of Polak's injuries, which included targeted attacks to the face and a fatal wound to her neck, resulting in extensive blood loss.

O’Connor urged the jury to reject Severin's self-serving narrative and recognize that the evidence suggests he was fully aware and intent on causing Polak's death during the violent attack on March 30, 2024.