Triple murder trial heads to jury

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This article was published 19/04/2011 (5316 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — Laywers have made closing arguments today in a high-profile triple murder trial.

Colton Patchinose, 21, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder for the March 2008 shooting spree inside an Alexander Avenue home that was hosting a birthday party.

Jurors are expected to begin deliberations on Wednesday morning.

Patchinose admits responsibility but claims he should be found guilty of lesser charges on the basis the shootings weren’t “planned or pre-meditated”, as required by law.

The difference in degrees of murder are important because of potential parole eligibility. A conviction for first-degree is an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 25 years, while second-degree could see parole eligibility set as low as 10 years. Canada doesn’t allow for consecutive sentences when there are multiple murder victims, as was the case here.

Much of the Crown’s case against Patchinose is built on the evidence of another man who was originally arrested, only to have his charges dropped. Howard Roulette, 28, has close ties with the accused and testified last week about the events leading up to, and following, the shooting spree inside the home.

Scott Lavallee, 31, Jennifer Ward, 26, and Corey Keeper, 22, died after being struck at close range by at least eight of the 19 bullets fired that night. Nearly 30 people had gathered at the home for a party, including Roulette and Patchinose.

Roulette’s credibility is a key issue for jurors to consider, as defence lawyers are trying to paint him as a liar with a personal agenda. Jurors were told last week a youth co-accused has already had his own separate trial, but no further information was given.