Former Prince George firefighter Jeremy Matthew Kostyshyn was described as "exceptional" and a "stand-up individual" Wednesday at his trial for trafficking and possession of stolen property.
Kevin Woodhouse had worked with Kostyshyn for about eight years when police arrested Kostyshyn in early May 2013.
The 34-year-old is on trial for five counts of trafficking and four counts of possession of stolen property, including two snowmobiles, a jetboat and an all-terrain vehicle.
Kostyshyn faces trafficking charges for two pieces of stolen equipment (and their trailers) that police found on Woodhouse's property.
"I said in my initial statement, Jeremy was always a stand-up member," said Woodhouse, a firefighter for more than 20 years, testifying in the B.C. Supreme Court trial. "As one of the junior guys, he was one of the better members."
Woodhouse told the court on Tuesday that Kostyshyn connected him with two different men to buy a skid steer for more than $15,000 and a mini-excavator for $7,000, both of which police later seized.
No money passed between the two colleagues but rather from Woodhouse to the two men.
Kostyshyn "brokered the deal," Woodhouse said Tuesday.
When Crown prosecutor Marie Louise Ahrens asked if he had "difficulty or concern about your equipment," Woodhouse testified he did not.
Under cross examination Wednesday, Woodhouse only offered positive words to describe Kostyshyn, calling him an "informal leader amongst his peer group" and someone who volunteered with charities.
"One of the things sadly that happened when Jeremy was dismissed was we lost the Canadian Tire rooftop sit for muscular dystrophy because Jeremy was spearheading that," Woodhouse said.
Defence lawyer Patrick Fagan established Woodhouse as a senior firefighter and someone with the responsibility of watching over and assessing the character of junior members.
"Not only are you facing life-threatening situations on occasion, but you're going in and out of people's houses. You have immediate access to their property," Fagan said.
"There's a high level of trust that the public instills in members of your team," said Fagan, before asking Woodhouse about Kostyshyn's reputation.
Later, Fagan tied that testimony to the present: "So today, Sept. 16, 2015, do you still believe in the honesty and integrity of Mr. Kostyshyn?" Fagan asked.
After a 10-second pause, Woodhouse replied: "There's been a lot of rumours and a lot of innuendo, a lot of talk around the fire hall that would have led me to question that. At the same time from my own personal experiences, absolutely stand-up individual."
From his personal observations, Woodhouse said Kostyshyn has "done nothing for me to question" his honesty and integrity.
Fagan finished by asserting Woodhouse was a victim of the proceedings, then said "rumours aside, based on all of your dealings with Jeremy, he's a victim here as well."
"I would sure like to believe so and I'm going to hang on to that belief," Woodhouse replied.
The trial was adjourned after Woodhouse's testimony early Wednesday morning when lawyers told Justice Ronald Tindale they planned on submitting written evidence rather than continue with testimony.
First, Ahrens has to decide how to deal with Benjamin Taffy Williams, a former firefighter who was convicted in June of possession of stolen property over $5,000 in a connected case.
The Crown wanted to use Williams as a material witness, but court heard Monday he has yet to be served the subpoena to appear in court and is no longer in Prince George.
The trial resumes this morning.
