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Crown council in the trial for the man accused of shooting at police in 2012 on Westside Road wrapped up its case on Tuesday.
.32 Revolver similar to the one found at the scene (Photo Credit: GunAuction.com)
In front of Justice Ian Josephson Crown called its last witness, fire arm and tool marks specialist Robert Caunt. Caunt testified about various metal fragments given to him for analysis on September 25th, 2012. Laywers Duncan Campbell and Murray Kaay had Caunt identify the weapons found after the shootout along Westside Road. Presented to Caunt was a Cooey .22 rifle, a .22 Ruger rifle as well as a .32 revolver. The expert went on to testify that both rifles were sawed off with the barrels cut down and the stock modified as well.
On trial is Michael Edward Ellis who is facing more than a dozen charges including attempted murder stemming from the July 31st, 2012 incident. Caunt went on to testify that since both semi-automatic rifles were modified they are prohibited, make firing more difficult and produces a louder firing noise. Caunt also explained how both rifles worked and the modifications in detail.
Stock Ruger .22 Rigle without modifications (Photo Credit: Stock Photo)
“The .22 Ruger has an after-market folding stock, and can be fired with one hand only as it is not very heavy,” testified Caunt.
He went on to describe the ‘suppressor’ found at the scene of the shooting in West Kelowna.
“It is a crude, poorly made homemade suppressor… it wasn’t as effective as some I’ve seen,” said Caunt. The plastic bottle was wrapped with electrical tape and stuffed with a cloth and found on the end of the Ruger rifle as it acted as a muzzle to lessen the sound of the gun.
He also pointed out that the Ruger had a laser sight on the scope of the rail which could be used to pinpoint a target. Caunt said the weapon was “capable of causing serious bodily injury or death.”
Turning to the .22 Cooey, Caunt described the “cheaply made” cartridges that were used in that weapon and the constant jamming that occurred as a result. Crown had Caunt describe the type of spent cartridges found at the scene, most of them came back as 22 long rilfes, suggesting the Ruger was used throughout the chase and shooting.
Photo Credit: Stock Photo
Crown council wrapped up its case with Caunt on the stand while defence lawyer Jon Gustafson took to questioning the witness. A break is expected to take place for the rest of the week as defence decides whether or not to call witnesses to the stand.
On July 31, 2012 RCMP were led on an almost hour long chase along Westside Road. It started in West Kelowna when officers tried to pull over a van during a routine stop. A chase began along Westside Road with shots being fired. It eventually ended in Vernon.
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