Trial for third man linked to gangland massacre set to begin

The third man alleged to be involved in a New Year’s 2009 massacre of three people at a Calgary eatery will face a judge and jury Monday.

The trial of Real Honorio, charged with first-degree murder in the gangland shooting, is scheduled to begin in Calgary’s Court of Queen’s Bench.

Honorio is accused of acting alongside Michael Roberto and Nathan Zuccherato in the slaying of targets Sanjeev Mann and Aaron Bendle, as well as innocent bystander Keni Su’a, at Bolsa restaurant off Macleod Tr. S, Jan. 1, 2009.

Mann, 22, and Bendle, 21, were shot while seated at a table inside Bolsa, while Su’a, 43, was shot outside the restaurant as he tried to escape the violence.

Roberto and Zuccherato were found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder each at their trial last fall.

Last week a jury of 12, with two alternates, were selected to hear and deliver verdict on Honorio’s own trial.

The accused was arrested in connection with the murders June 8, 2009.

A fourth man, Nicholas Hovenesian, is also charged and was to stand trial with Roberto and Zuccherato, but his proceedings were delayed due to issues with his lawyer’s health.

[The Accused]’s case has proceeded separately from the other three men since the beginning.

During the trial of Roberto and Zuccherato court heard the shooting deaths of Mann and associate Bendle were gang-related while Su’a was mistaken for Mann as he tried to flee.