THUNDER BAY - The homeowner of a house worth more than $400,000 testified of Marisa Hobbs and Mary Voss viewing the home, as well as discussions of an agreement between Voss and the alleged victim.
Day 8 of the extortion trial against former Thunder Bay mayor, Keith Hobbs, his wife Marisa, and Voss continued on Wednesday and included testimony from the homeowner of a home viewed by Voss and Marisa Hobbs in November 2016.
The house was listed at $429,000 at the time and according to the homeowner, several days before the alleged victim’s arrest, Marisa Hobbs and Voss viewed the home with her father who was Marisa Hobbs’ realtor.
“They wanted to see the house right away and were agreeable to me being home,” the homeowner said.
The homeowner added there were concerns by Voss that the countertops were not granite and no upstairs laundry.
According to the homeowner, Marisa did most of the talking and Voss was very quiet.
“My understanding, and (Marisa Hobbs) did mention, that Mary was a very good friend of hers and she was supporting Mary through a very difficult time,” the homeowner testified.
The homeowner added there were conversations around a settlement that was going to take place between Voss and the alleged victim, though the victim would have to be sober ‘before bringing anything to his attention.’
“I was informed an offer might be coming through,” the homeowner said. “I never had anything formally in my hand.”
A second homeowner also testified Wednesday morning. The home in question was for sale on Edward Street and listed at $269,000.
The homeowner said she met Voss because they lived near one another. Voss was interested in purchasing the home and the price was reduced to $250,000. She said the alleged victim also came to look at the house.
Voss did not qualify for a mortgage, the homeowner said, because the basement suite was not considered a guaranteed income.
Voss also told the homeowner that the victim treated her badly and she had bruises on her body.
On Wednesday morning, the Crown also called Elsie Hutsel to testify. Hutsel recalled an evening where she met the alleged victim at his residence on Nov. 19, 2016, the day after the alleged signing of a document to purchase a house for Voss.
According to Hutsel, the victim was crying and appeared to be in a very emotionally stressed state.
“He was apologetic for his look and kept saying he was so sorry. He was crying the whole time,” she said.
Hutsel added that this was the first time she had ever met the victim and could not say whether or not he was intoxicated, though Heli Kijanen, who was also there, was trying to give him a drink of water.
The victim then mentioned Keith and Marisa Hobbs and Voss, Hutsel testified, and their attempts to coerce him into purchasing a house.
“He said that Keith Hobbs had him sign a will having him leave everything to (Voss),” she said. “I asked him how in the world did he start hanging around with Keith Hobbs. He said he had been coming to his house for about a month and would spend long periods of time.”
Hutsel added that when the victim began talking about the cost of the house rising from $250,000 to more than $400,000 he became even more upset.
“He just wouldn’t stop crying,” Hutsel said. “He was extremely emotional. He was overwhelmed with emotion.”
The Crown is expected to call its final witness, Det. Inspt. Martin Graham of the Ontario Provincial Police, Wednesday afternoon.
Complete coverage of Hobbs trial:
Day 1: Keith Hobbs trial starts today
Witness testifies of interactions between Hobbs and alleged extortion victim
Day 2: Details of extortion allegations heard at Hobbs trial
Day 3: Videos from USB drive given by Hobbs shown in court
Day 4: Alleged extortion victim calls behaviour in videos horrid and awful
'Pack your toothbrush' Hobbs alleged warned extortion victim
Day 5: Alleged extortion victim trying to ‘buy silence:’ Greenspan
Day 6: Alleged extortion victim believes Voss was ‘swayed’ by Keith and Marisa Hobbs
Witness testifies of agreement signed between alleged extortion victim and accused
Day 7: More details emerge of alleged victim’s state in fall 2016 and the discovery of a will
