Vancouver Court Hears 62 Year Old Ritch Dowrey Assaulted Because “He’s A Faggot, He Deserved It”

A report on day one of the trial in Vancouver, British Columbia 35 year old Shawn Woodward who is accused of aggravated assault in the unprovoked attack on 62 year old Ritch Dowrey March 13, 2009 that left the victim with a “catastrophic” brain injury that has rendered Dowrey unable to function without constant care. The assault occurred at the Fountainhead Pub, a neighbourhood bar that attracts a gay and straight clientele. It is alleged that Dowrey was playing pool, when Woodward walked to the side of the table and hit Dowrey once to the side of the head. He fell instantly, hitting the title floor, which likely caused the severe head trauma. Prosecutors called Lindsay Wincherauk, a 50 year old friend of Dowrey who was in the bar that Friday night and testified that he saw Woodward knock the victim to the ground with one punch to the head. Wincherauk testified that he followed the accused outside, along with a number of bar staff and other patrons, and he asked Dowrey “why he did it?” According to Wincherauk, he said “He’s a faggot, he deserved it. The faggot touched me, I’m not a faggot.”