The trial of a man accused of killing a well-known Vancouver artist and skateboarder began in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday, with Lee Matasi's mother looking the accused in the eye for the first time.

Lee Matasi's mother, Susan Jessop, says there's a sense of relief now that the trial has begun.
(CBC)

Dennis Robert White, 30, is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Matasi, 23, outside a downtown Vancouver nightclub on Dec. 3, 2005.

Friends and family of Matasi packed the courtroom, sporting "I love Lee Matasi" T-shirts in support of the avid skateboarder.

"I don't know if he [White] knew who I was but I did stare at him for about 20 seconds," said Susan Jessop, Matasi's mother. "I had to take that in to just stand witness for Lee — to look him in the eye."

Lee Matasi has been remembered by his mother, Susan Jessop, as having the soul of an artist and the heart of a lion.
(CBC)

Crown lawyer Greg Weber opened his case informing the jury it will hear from about 10 police witnesses and a dozen civilians.

One of the witnesses will be the owner of the Red Room nightclub at 398 Richards St., Weber said, who will testify he saw Matasi on his knees, held by the collar, and the accused calling him "bitch" just before a shot rang out.

A pathologist will testify Matasi died of a single bullet wound to the chest, Weber said.

Some in the gallery began weeping as the Crown described what it says were Matasi's final moments.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

Friends wearing 'I love Lee Matasi' T-shirts attend the first day of the trial of Dennis Robert White, who's charged with second-degree murder of Matasi.
(CBC)

Outside the courtroom, Jessop said she was surprised by White's demeanour.

"He was looking fairly cheerful for a person who stands accused of second-degree murder. That astonished me and it was very visceral. I felt like passing out when I saw him because there was the person accused of murdering my son."

Jessop said she wants to see Parliament get tough with gun violence on the street.
 
"I hold all the parties to task for that. All of them need to talk about it," she said. "Citizens of Vancouver should be quite afraid and astonished of what's going on in this town. We need stronger gun legislation."