Home invasion suspect loses court bid

One of the men arrested after a notorious St. John's home invasion has lost a court bid to have his case thrown out.

Rene Seers had claimed police had no right to arrest him after a home was invaded on MacKenzie Street in the east end of St. John's in April 2009.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary arrested Seers days after the incident, in which a group of men burst into a home after a woman living there had opened the door.

A 60-year-old man was beaten, and the invaders made threatsusing a gun and a knife. Court has been told the invaders were seeking a substantial sum of cash.

Defence lawyer Mark Gruchy argued that police did not have grounds to arrest Seers, because they had acted on the word of Dean Lewis, who has described himself as a professional liar.

Lewis, who took part in the invasion, was given a 9.5-year sentence in the case.

However, Justice Carl Thompson said the police had more to go on than just Lewis's word. Among other things, Thompson said the officers knew Seers was a suspect in another similar robbery.

As well, police knew that Seers had had a history of robberies, that he had used a gun during a robbery, and that a gun was used in the MacKenzie Street home invasion.

"I am satisfied (the police) had reasonable grounds to arrest Mr. Seers," Thompson said in a ruling Monday.

Thompson also said the police had probable cause to seize sneakers from Seers and to take DNA evidence from him.

The defense said it may appeal Thompson's decision.

Seers is scheduled to stand trial on Nov. 9.

Two other menGordon Bishop and Stephen Cloweare awaiting trial. Clowe wasarrested in Calgary in June, after evading authorities for almost two years.