Trial continues for RCMP officer charged after man shot 10 times

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Narcotics agents for the Grand Prairie RCMP took a stand on Wednesday in the case of two officers charged with manslaughter in the 2018 shooting of a man in Whitecourt.

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Cpl. Eldon Chillog testified for the crown on his third day of Const’s trial. Jessica Brown and Cpl. During an attempted arrest at a rest stop near Whitecourt on July 3, 2018, Clayton shot Crawford ten of his times and was accused of using excessive force.

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A 22-year veteran of the military, Tyrog was in a detachment of the Grand Prairie RCMP the day before word came that there had been shootings in a settlement near Valhalla Centre.

Mr Chirog testified that he was familiar with the location of the shooting. A jury heard that Crawford’s girlfriend was shot in the leg when two assailants opened fire through the door of the house, and Crawford, 31, subsequently fled the scene.

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Crawford was known to drive a distinctive old-model Dodge Dakota pickup that was purple and had the words “Plum Crazy” engraved on it. Tyrog said he believed Crawford was targeted because, through his work in the drug section, he stole drugs and money from a man called Lenny.

At some point, it was decided to include Crawford’s truck description in BOLO (Beware) notifications for suspicious vehicles, Chirog said.

“At that point, we wanted to know what happened,” Tyrog said. “Why did someone shoot Clayton, why did it happen today? I wanted to know his side of the story.”

another officer, Constant Joel Darling spotted the purple truck the next day while off duty at the Chickadee Creek rest stop on Highway 43 near Whitecourt.

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On the first day of trial on Monday, attorneys for Brown and Stenger said Crawford was wanted on a warrant, had previously been arrested for firing a firearm, and was known to be involved in drug dealing. Attorney Rob Beeman, Brown’s defense attorney, said Crawford was asleep when officers found him, and the struggle was that Crawford narrowly missed attacking a client in a truck. said it continued.

Beeman said Brown fired because he feared for his life and the lives of his fellow officers.

However, prosecutor Linda Singh argued that the force used by the officers was “unnecessary and unreasonable.” are also facing They were initially charged with manslaughter.

The trial, which is expected to last 15 days, is being heard by King’s Court Judge Kent Davidson.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Cpl. Name of Randy Stenger.

jwakefield@postmedia.com

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