May 20, 2009 - 03:28 PM

By Jeff Mitchell

WHITBY -- Crime scene photos of a slain trucker lying in the cab of his rig were introduced as evidence Wednesday in the trial of a man charged with first-degree murder.

The pictures, showing the body of Donald Woods, were taken by Durham police forensic officers after the 35-year-old was found dead in the sleeper compartment of his truck near the Pickering Wal-Mart store on Brock Road in June of 2006, jurors heard. Mr. Woods died of a gunshot wound. His cargo, a load of air-chilled chicken, had been removed from the refrigerated trailer he was hauling.

Paul Cyr, 51, of Montreal, is charged with first-degree murder in Mr. Woods's death. He's also charged with theft over $5,000.

Before the grisly crime scene photos were displayed on TV monitors in the Whitby courtroom, Superior Court Justice Brian Shaugnessy warned jurors they might find the evidence upsetting.

"The pictures are disturbing ... but it is necessary to produce some of these photos for the Crown to present its case," the judge explained.

The pictures show Mr. Woods lying on his right side with his hands behind his back and his legs slightly bent. Forensics identification officer Constable James Aquin said that plastic ties were found in the truck, and that the victim's body had been covered with a sleeping bag.

Mr. Cyr was charged several months after the discovery of Mr. Woods's body. The trucker, from Athens, Ontario, near Brockville, was last seen alive at a truck stop near Belleville a few days prior to his body being found in Pickering.

The trial continues in Whitby.