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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Pompeo says Gillespie gave ‘threat cues’
Menard guilty in 2010 Nitinat shooting death Manslaughter: Man agrees to Manslaughter: lesser charge in death of dad
Shooting trial: Officer testifies training taught him pulling the trigger was justified Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
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estimony from Const. David Pompeo focused on his extensive training as the impetus for ¿ring a shot at Bill Gillespie on Sept. 18, 2009 near Chemainus. Pompeo said in his aggravated assault trial in Duncan provincial court Monday that he took several factors into account in a short period of time before reacting. “I was taking in a lot of information very quickly,’’ he said. Defence lawyer Ravi Hira asked Pompeo to list the factors that caused him to fear bodily harm or fear for his life. “We were dealing with two known offenders,’’ said Pompeo, who had partner Const. David Birchett with him in an unmarked police vehicle. Dale Brewer, a passenger in Gillespie’s car stopped by police, had been involved in property crimes and was a known drug user, Pompeo said, and Gillespie was also a known drug user with a record of violence. Pompeo said his training taught him those types of individuals can be very unpredictable and violent. He said the vehicle was Àeeing down a dark road. “We didn’t initially know where they were going to end up,’’ said Pompeo. “We were unable to communicate and formulate a plan. The surrounding environment, it was very dif¿cult to see. There was some ambient lighting in the area.’’ Gillespie earlier said he eased to a stop in Brewer’s driveway, but Pompeo said it was more of a skid. Gillespie also said he did exactly as he was ordered, but Pompeo described the scene differently. “He chose to blatantly ignore my command, exit the vehicle before being asked to do so and advancing on me at gunpoint. “I’ve never seen that before,’’ he added. Crown counsel Todd Patola suggested to Pompeo that he had to consider the totality of the situation because his reaction might either be excessive or inadequate. He made reference in questioning to something known as the 1,000-yard stare or a Zombie-like state. “It appeared as though he was looking right through me,’’ said Pompeo. more on page 5
Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
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lphonse Brendon Menard pleaded guilty Tuesday in Duncan’s courthouse to manslaughter in the shooting death of his father. With his lawyer Bert King at his side, a blue-suited, clean-shaven Menard agreed to the lesser charge, avoiding a scheduled trial for second-degree mur- Brendon Menard: der before Judge back Sept. 21 Nathan Smith. The case was adjourned until Sept. 21 for sentencing proceedings in Duncan’s B.C. Supreme Court. Menard is not in custody. The soft-spoken suspect appeared brieÀy in court with others, believed to be family and friends. Judge Smith explained to Menard the consequences of his guilty plea, assuring that it was made without pressure or coercion. The Nanaimo man was 22 when charged with second-degree murder following the July 4, 2010 shooting death of his father, Tony, 52, during a camping trip west of Nitinat Lake. Menard’s father died after he was shot multiple times during a target-practice outing with family in the Somerset mountain range west of Nitinat Lake. Police reported Menard, his Andrew Leong father and three others were A sheep peeks through its stall during the 144th Cowichan Exhibition this weekend. For your peek behind the curtain at this camping overnight when the alleged shooting happened. year’s fair, check out Andrew Leong’s photo essay on page 18.
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