Canada - Paul Morgan, 79, philanthropist/oral surgeon, murdered, Toronto, 14 April 2020

[dotr]

Man found murdered inside North York home was retired oral surgeon, philanthropist, family friends say
Man found murdered inside North York home was retired oral surgeon, philanthropist, family friends say

Paul Morgan is seen in this undated photo. (Submitted photo)
“Right now we are seeking the public's assistance with anybody that has seen comings and goings with the house,” Fernandes said.

“We are going to speak with as many witnesses that come forth from this community right now but really we are looking to identify any and all occupants from the house.”

Michael Lavelle, a family friend of the victim, described Morgan as "the essence of goodness."

"The amount of goodness that came out of this man is so inspirational, that as I say it, if I told you the truth, you wouldn't believe it. You just wouldn't believe that a man could be this selfless," he said, adding that he thought of Morgan as a father figure.

Neighbours told CTV News Toronto that there was frequent activity at the home, often from youth that Morgan was helping.

"He never locked his doors. His doors were always open for people to come in and get shelter," his next-door-neighbour George Papagiorgiou said. "He was a saint."

 

[dotr]

Toronto Police Service :: News Release #46955
''Case #: 2020-717283
The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of a homicide investigation.

On Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at approximately 8:15 a.m., officers responded to sudden death call at 42 Howard Drive.

It is reported that:

- officers attended and located a deceased man inside the address

- the man had obvious signs of trauma and could not be identified at the time

The Homicide Unit took carriage of the investigation.

A post-mortem examination was completed on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, and the deceased has since been identified as Dr. Paul Morgan, 79, of Toronto.''

 

[dotr]

Kind-hearted retired oral surgeon dead in North York home
April 15, 2020


''A man identified as retired oral surgeon Dr. Paul Morgan, 79, has been found dead at a home on Howard Drive in North York. Reports are vague on the circumstances except that the kind-hearted Dr. Morgan apparently was prepared to assist all sorts of people who were down on their luck. An excerpt from a Toronto Sun story by Sam Pazzano says:

In a March 2019 article in the Sault Star, Morgan is identified “as a benefactor for Indigenous youth in the arts.” Morgan was adopted, raised and educated by an Indigenous family. Dr. Morgan was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General in 2012 for his support of breakfast programs, arts activities, and sporting events for First Nations communities and youths at risk.

An oral surgeon (known formally as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon) is a dental specialist as opposed to a medical doctor.''

 

[Deleted member 102539]

Toronto Police Service :: News Release #46955
......
His image has been released.

Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who had contact with Dr. Morgan leading up to, and over, the Easter long weekend (Friday, April 10 to Monday, April 13, 2020).

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

 

[Deleted member 102539]

Hunt on for retired Toronto doctor’s killer

A Sault Star article, published March 2019, described Morgan “as a benefactor for Indigenous youth in the arts.”

Morgan was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General in 2012 for his support of breakfast programs, arts activities, and sporting events for First Nations communities and youths at risk.

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

so sad when you lead such a seemingly exemplar life and it comes down to this... injured so badly as to be unrecognizable. So very sad...

 

[Satchie]

so sad when you lead such a seemingly exemplar life and it comes down to this... injured so badly as to be unrecognizable. So very sad...

I agree, very sad.

Also, sadly, this is not an unfamiliar scenario to me. Anyone who interacts with troubled young men is going to face situations of violence, it's just the nature of troubled young men to turn to violence more ofen than any other group in society, whether because of mental illness or drugs or robbery or just lack of emotional maturity. On the other hand, I don't think troubled young men could pull off a sophisticated double murder like the Sherman case.

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

I agree, very sad.

Also, sadly, this is not an unfamiliar scenario to me. Anyone who interacts with troubled young men is going to face situations of violence, it's just the nature of troubled young men to turn to violence more ofen than any other group in society, whether because of mental illness or drugs or robbery or just lack of emotional maturity. On the other hand, I don't think troubled young men could pull off a sophisticated double murder like the Sherman case.

Whoa whoa... Not everyone who works with troubled young men faces situations of violence though. Yes, it happens, but not to everyone. Just hate to stereotype or say there is no reform.

No idea if that is what happened here, just didn't want to suggest that is what I meant.

 

[dotr]

April 16 2020 By Betsy Powell
rbbm
Slain North York dentist remembered as champion for those less fortunate
''For decades, the man known as “Doc” opened up his North York home to a diverse group of youths, many of them Indigenous artists and musicians, including some who had been in trouble with the law.

It was a continuation of Dr. Paul Morgan’s lifelong pattern — using his earnings as a top Toronto oral surgeon to support the less fortunate, said Michael Lavelle, a lifelong family friend, on Thursday.''

“The house was known all over; the door is open, food is in the fridge, be nice to the dog,” Lavelle said.''

No arrests have been made and investigators are still looking to speak to anyone who had contact with Morgan on or after Good Friday, homicide Det.-Sgt. Keri Fernandes said Thursday. His cause of death has not been released, though Fernandes said there were “obvious signs of trauma.”

“This is awful news! I’m sad and angry,” Ray Fox, a northern Ontario artist, wrote in an online post. “Dr. Paul Morgan had a huge heart of gold and was so selfless in helping people, finding opportunities for folks, and giving back to the community.”

Last year, the Sault Ste. Marie Star published a story that Morgan once lent Fox a Toronto apartment equipped with paints and canvases.''

''Recently, Lavelle said there were a series of “incidents” involving some of Morgan’s house guests. Police were called. He was spending much of his time in his bedroom but insisted everything was fine.''

''Morgan never married or had any children but maintained a long-distance relationship with an American woman, Lavelle said.''

 

[Periwinkl3]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but looks like his address is five minutes from Barry and Honey Sherman's house: خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏

 

[dotr]

April 18, 2020
Doc’s big heart and COVID-19 may have led to his murder: Friend
''It was a bizarre combination of COVID-19 and the kindness of retired oral surgeon and philanthropist Dr. Paul Morgan that led up to his tragic murder, claims a distraught close friend.

Michael Lavelle Jr., who considered Morgan a second father, said the surgeon acted as a surety to a troubled young homeless man accused of a series of west end arsons late last year.

The young man’s grandfather, who comes from the Serpent River reserve, asked his old friend Morgan to bail his grandson out. So Morgan acted as the young man’s surety and allowed him to live in the North York home where the 79-year-old was found slain April 14.

“It was a mistake and Morgan knew it was a mistake, but he couldn’t get out of it,” said Lavelle.''

''The young man was allegdly doing drugs and breaking his curfew but Lavelle, who offered to swear an affidavit to get the man removed from Morgan’s home, got nowhere.

''The young man’s case was scheduled for April 1, but due to COVID-19 almost all out-of-custody cases are adjourned for 10 weeks.''

Morgan suffered extensive blunt force trauma, but police “haven’t received a fully comprehensive autopsy report yet,” said Fernandes.''

 

[Periwinkl3]

''Recently, Lavelle said there were a series of “incidents” involving some of Morgan’s house guests. Police were called. He was spending much of his time in his bedroom but insisted everything was fine.''

"Incidents" during a pandemic? That sounds ominous. Anyone know more?

 

[MistyWaters]

April 18, 2020
Doc’s big heart and COVID-19 may have led to his murder: Friend
''It was a bizarre combination of COVID-19 and the kindness of retired oral surgeon and philanthropist Dr. Paul Morgan that led up to his tragic murder, claims a distraught close friend.

Michael Lavelle Jr., who considered Morgan a second father, said the surgeon acted as a surety to a troubled young homeless man accused of a series of west end arsons late last year.

The young man’s grandfather, who comes from the Serpent River reserve, asked his old friend Morgan to bail his grandson out. So Morgan acted as the young man’s surety and allowed him to live in the North York home where the 79-year-old was found slain April 14.

“It was a mistake and Morgan knew it was a mistake, but he couldn’t get out of it,” said Lavelle.''

''The young man was allegdly doing drugs and breaking his curfew but Lavelle, who offered to swear an affidavit to get the man removed from Morgan’s home, got nowhere.

''The young man’s case was scheduled for April 1, but due to COVID-19 almost all out-of-custody cases are adjourned for 10 weeks.''

Morgan suffered extensive blunt force trauma, but police “haven’t received a fully comprehensive autopsy report yet,” said Fernandes.''

If this same “troubled young homeless man” was involved with the brutal murder of Dr Morgan, IMO a Judge erred in approving the surety arrangement. How can a 79 year-old man possibly hope to defend himself against any young offender when always there is the potential for violence to erupt, regardless of good intentions.

And if police had already been called over incidents involving the same person, why wasn’t the young man removed? Was Dr Morgan unable to personally visit the Courthouse to file to have the surety revoked or was that his impending intention immediately prior to his death? I think there’s going to more to this horribly sad and tragic story.

BBM

What Sureties Need to Know - Ministry of the Attorney General
ACTING AS A SURETY IS A SERIOUS MATTER

A surety is someone who agrees to take responsibility for a person accused of a crime. Being a surety is a serious commitment. Before you accept this responsibility, here are a few things you should think about:

• Think about getting independent legal advice to make sure you understand what this commitment means.
• Do not agree to be a surety if you are not sure that you can supervise the accused person in the community.
• If the accused person fails to obey the terms and/or conditions of the court order, you could lose the money you have pledged.
• Your responsibility as a surety continues until the case is completely over. In some cases, this may take a long time.

Accepting a fee or being paid back in return for acting as a surety is against the law.

Responsibilities of a Surety

• Making sure the accused person comes to court on time and on the right dates.
• Making sure that the accused person obeys each condition of the bail order, also known as a recognizance.
• Conditions may require the accused person to report to the police and obey a curfew. They may also order the accused to not possess weapons, drink alcohol and/or communicate directly or indirectly with the victim or victim's family. This means that you as the surety are also not to communicate on behalf of the accused person with the victim or the victim's family.
• If you are accepted as a surety, you must sign the recognizance. It means that you agree to pay a specified amount of money if the accused person fails to obey the court order.

Qualifications of a Surety

• The judge or justice of the peace will decide whether you are suitable to act as a surety. Qualifications of a surety will vary depending on the allegations or charges against the accused.
• The judge will look at your finances, personal character and background.
• You may have to give evidence in court and be cross-examined about your qualifications.

Ending Your Obligations as a Surety

• You may decide that you are no longer willing or able to supervise the accused person. In this case you have two options:
  1. You may bring the accused to the court personally and ask that you be relieved of your responsibilities, or
  2. You may come to the court and apply in writing to the court to be relieved of your duties. The court will then issue an order for the arrest of the accused person.
• If you believe the accused person is a threat to your safety, you should not attempt to bring the accused person back to court yourself. Once a court order is made, the police can arrest the accused and your obligations will be over.

 

[dotr]

Arrest!
Police make arrest in murder of retired oral surgeon and philanthropist inside North York home
"In a news release issued Monday, police said that they have arrested 23-year old Makoons Meawasige-Moore in connection with his death.

Meawasige-Moore is charged with second-degree murder and is expected to appear in court at Finch Avenue West today.''


Toronto Police

Also noting..
Man charged with setting fires in Toronto’s Junction area also targeted Little Italy
December 8, 2017
''Toronto police have charged a man accused of lighting several destructive fires in the city’s Junction area and according to police, it wasn’t his first time.

Emergency crews responded to a number of fires near Keele Street and Dundas Street West between Oct. 6 and Nov. 29.

Several items were ignited including garbage bins and furniture, some of which were located on the front porches of homes.

Police said the estimated cost of the damages is pegged in the thousands. More devastatingly, police said one of the fires caused first and second degree burns to a person''.
Barely human to allegedly do such a thing, imo.
WATCH: Suspect charged after several fires in Palmerston- Little Italy

 

[marybelle29]

I came across this article last night detailing a very recent traffic incident involving the suspect:

(BRUCE MINES, ON) – On April 10, 2020, shortly after 4:00 a.m., members from the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a traffic complaint on Highway 17, where a westbound vehicle was driving erratically and all over the road west of the of the Town of Thessalon...As a result of the investigation, Makoons MEAWASIGE, 23 year-of-age from Toronto was charged...

Traffic complaint in Bruce Mines leads to multiple charges | myAlgoma.ca

That was on April 10th. This article says Dr. Paul Morgan died on April 14th:

Clarifications

• An earlier version of this story stated Morgan died on April 15. In fact, he died on April 14, and a post-mortem examination was conducted on April 15.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/paul-morgan-homicide-arrest-1.5538121

But this article seems to suggest he was murdered sometime between April 10th and April 13th:

Investigators want to speak with anyone who had contact with this man leading up to, and over, the Easter long weekend from Friday, April 10 to Monday, April 13.

Retired oral surgeon Dr. Paul Morgan is Toronto's latest murder victim

So I'm wondering whether the suspect was pulled over while fleeing the crime scene in the early morning hours of April 10th? Or was that just the beginning of a downward spiral that led up to the murder?

Such a tragedy, regardless. RIP Dr. Morgan.

 

[MistyWaters]

I came across this article last night detailing a very recent traffic incident involving the suspect:

(BRUCE MINES, ON) – On April 10, 2020, shortly after 4:00 a.m., members from the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a traffic complaint on Highway 17, where a westbound vehicle was driving erratically and all over the road west of the of the Town of Thessalon...As a result of the investigation, Makoons MEAWASIGE, 23 year-of-age from Toronto was charged...

Traffic complaint in Bruce Mines leads to multiple charges | myAlgoma.ca

That was on April 10th. This article says Dr. Paul Morgan died on April 14th:

Clarifications

• An earlier version of this story stated Morgan died on April 15. In fact, he died on April 14, and a post-mortem examination was conducted on April 15.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/paul-morgan-homicide-arrest-1.5538121

But this article seems to suggest he was murdered sometime between April 10th and April 13th:

Investigators want to speak with anyone who had contact with this man leading up to, and over, the Easter long weekend from Friday, April 10 to Monday, April 13.

Retired oral surgeon Dr. Paul Morgan is Toronto's latest murder victim

So I'm wondering whether the suspect was pulled over while fleeing the crime scene in the early morning hours of April 10th? Or was that just the beginning of a downward spiral that led up to the murder?

Such a tragedy, regardless. RIP Dr. Morgan.

That’s very interesting. As MM didn’t have a drivers licence he can’t have owned a vehicle. Did it belong to Dr Morgan? MM was obviously breaching his bail conditions as well. I think you could be right on in your speculation, MM attempting to flee after murdering the one person who was attempting to help him walk the high road. LE might’ve called the Dr or rang his doorbell but obviously they would’ve been unsuccessful in contacting him. Because if they had, surely MM would’ve been incarcerated for breaching his bail conditions and Dr Morgan would still be alive. But then this is Canada....so maybe not.

 

[marybelle29]

Agreed! But being unfamiliar with Canadian law, is it impossible or just unlikely the suspect would be able to own a vehicle without a license? In the US (I think?) you can own a vehicle while at the same not be authorized to drive it.

Is it possible he's been in custody since April 10th or is it more likely that he was released of his own recognizance pending the July 2nd court date?

The situation is tragic enough as it is but it would be so much worse if the suspect was released (after possibly found driving the victim's stolen car?) only to be given the chance to go on and commit murder. I wish we had the date of death nailed down.

 

[ttcRider]

His fb posts show some signs of mental crisis. IMO

 

[MistyWaters]

Agreed! But being unfamiliar with Canadian law, is it impossible or just unlikely the suspect would be able to own a vehicle without a license? In the US (I think?) you can own a vehicle while at the same not be authorized to drive it.

Is it possible he's been in custody since April 10th or is it more likely that he was released of his own recognizance pending the July 2nd court date?

The situation is tragic enough as it is but it would be so much worse if the suspect was released (after possibly found driving the victim's stolen car?) only to be given the chance to go on and commit murder. I wish we had the date of death nailed down.

I suppose it’s possible to buy a vehicle but in the province where I live, in order to register a vehicle and get plates insurance must be produced and it’s impossible to get insurance without a drivers licence. I assume Ontario would have the same policy.

While MM was not charged with auto theft, unless the owner had filed a police report, LE wouldn’t be aware it was stolen when he was stopped especially if the Doc was already murdered by the accused.

As the accused was out on bail and appears to have contravened his curfew and other stipulations - just my opinion - without contacting the person who was the surety, who is ultimately responsible for the actions of the accused person, he shouldn’t have been released. It’s likely the autopsy will determine the appx day of the murder because at this point we don’t know who saw or spoke with him between the 10th and 14th, if anyone other than the accused. What we do know is his body was discovered on the 14th because his friend hadn’t heard from him in awhile -

“Investigators say that on April 14 at about 8:15 a.m., police responded to a sudden death call on Howard Drive, near Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue East, in North York.

Officers found the victim, identified by police as 79-year-old Dr. Paul Morgan, with obvious signs of trauma.

Sources told Global News that Morgan was a retired dentist and that a friend went to check on him because he hadn’t heard from him in a while. The friend found Morgan deceased and called police, sources said.”
23-year-old man charged in retired Toronto dentist’s murder

 

[Tobiano8th]

i'm pretty sure you can buy or own a car without insurance...... at the very least, you had insurance and it lapsed. they won't come get your car that i've seen. same with lapsed driver's licence...... they will come get car if they think you are driving it, but not sure what the burden of proof would be....

you could just drive someone else's car too