Arguments about self-defense heard as LaRose murder trial draws to a close

walterpalladNovember 24, 2022

The Crown claims that LaRose intended to kill him while LaRose claimed to have acted to save himself when he stabbed Matthew Bossenberry.

Memorial flowers are displayed on a lamppost at the corner of 6th and Cameron Streets on August 26, 2020 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Joshua Allarose has been charged with murdering Matthew Bossenberry at his 1200 block home on Cameron Street approximately two days earlier. To this file photo during the shoot. Photo by Brandon Harder /Regina Leader Post

It doesn’t matter that Joshua Larose stabbed Matthew Bossenberry in the chest, causing him to bleed to death.

But as the 42-year-old’s murder trial continued Thursday’s closing arguments at the Royal Court of Justice’s Regina Court, Crown and defense attorneys each offered jurors different ideas as to why.

Larose pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Bossenberry, who was found dead on August 24, 2020.

Supreme Court Justice Martell Popeskull He is expected to give final instructions to jurors on Friday before deliberations begin.

The altercation is said to have occurred at a house on the 1200 block of Cameron Street. Both men are said to have used weapons—Larose, Bear Mace, later a knife, and Bossenberry, a 2-by-4 wooden plank.

The Crown theory is that Larose went to the house with the intention of killing him. Prosecutor Andrew Campbell told jurors that they could discover that Bossenbury was the original target of that intent, or that LaRose’s intent was transferred to the deceased during the course of the case.

His claim was based on the evidence of a trial witness, said to be a former cellmate of LaRose, who testified that LaRose had told him of her plan for revenge.

defense lawyer Bruce Campbell refuted that theory, calling the witness an obnoxious in-prison informant whose evidence should not be relied upon. No, he said.

Bossenberry was set to “stake” LaRose’s head two-by-four four or five times, so also drawing on court evidence, he argued that his client only used the knife in self-defense.

A forensic officer uses a swab on the steps in front of the death investigation site at Block 1200 Cameron Street in Regina, Saskatchewan, August 25, 2020. Joshua LaRose has been charged with murdering Matthew Bossenberry around August 24th. of that year. Photo by Brandon Harder /Regina Leader Post

Crown contrasted this point by stating that it was Bossenberry who was on the defensive, noting testimony that the deceased man was covered in bear spray before the physical altercation began. agreed that the two-by-four was used in the fight, but there was evidence to indicate that the men were reverting to standing up and using their fists when Larose attacked with his blade.

Prosecutors said LaRose did not request the use of lethal force at the time.

Different views were also shared about the origin of the knife, as argued by the lawyers.

As the jury listened intently, defense attorneys turned their attention to the testimony of another man who was at his Cameron Street home when the fight broke out, telling the court that the knife resembled the one he owned. He said he thought it belonged to him because it was his.

“He didn’t bring a knife into the house,” the defense attorney said of his client.

Clown disagreed with this, and in earlier police statements, one of the other witnesses said the knife was hers, that LaRose could have gotten it, and that he was on Cameron Street. He pointed out that he saw him with it when he left his house.

“Josh’s explanation was that the devil himself threw the knife down, and somehow it seemed to him almost an act of fate,” the prosecutor said, adding that giving testimony was unbelievable. do not have.

After some time, he claimed that the accused had lied to various people about many aspects of the case.

On the issue of credibility, LaRose’s attorney previously told jurors that his client endured “harsh” cross-examination. “He persevered.”

Lawyers for the defense added that LaRose’s testimony was consistent and kept her cool.

Prosecutors asked jurors not to let LaRose’s calm demeanor on the stand distract them.

“He’s a good talker and is happy to tell any story you need,” he said.

Faced with the deadly threat of having to find Larose not guilty, the defense attorney concluded by asking the jury to decide if there was an alternative to Larose. I put it down.

Prosecutors demanded the opposite.

“Joshua LaRose intended to kill him when he struck the fatal blow,” he said, seeking a verdict that found the defendant guilty of second-degree murder beyond reasonable doubt.

bharder@postmedia.com

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