Court told murder suspect cooperative but nervous

BY BRENT FOX

bfox@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

The suspect was standing alone across from his house, looking nervous and smoking.

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court first-degree murder trial of Kentville resident William Clarke in connection with the shooting death of his cousin, Ontario resident Paul Coleman, in December 2006 is underway. Justice Kevin Coady is presiding.

A number of police and other witnesses gave testimony last week and questioning cast a wide net, including intra-family feelings.

Coleman died as the result of an abdominal shotgun wound sustained at Clarke’s house on Webster Court Dec. 7, 2006.

During cross-examination by defense counsel Rob Stewart Thursday, Nov. 6, chief medical examiner Dr. Matthew Bowes said the gunshot wound was consistent with a homicide. He acknowledged, however, that the medical examiner criteria don’t necessarily address first-degree, second-degree, manslaughter and negligence.

He noted the wound was about two-by-three centimetres in size. It was shot through clothing. As well, the presence and condition of the shell wadding indicated it was a relatively close-range firing.

Bowes said there was evidence of pre-gunshot brain injury, but no accurate time frame.

The victim’s hands were swabbed for gunshot residue prior to being bagged.

Saw Clarke standing on the sidewalk

Kentville Police Sgt. Darryll Brown told Crown prosecutor Ingrid Brodie that he responded to a call to the scene the afternoon of the shooting. He knew there were three police officers at the scene, but didn’t know where they were in the building or what was transpiring. Upon getting clearance to approach the scene, he also heard something to the effect to “arrest Bill.”

He saw Clarke standing on the sidewalk across from his house. He didn’t arrest him because he had no reason to at that time, but approached him and asked him how he was. Clarke’s hands were shaking while he smoked. “He was pretty preoccupied with what was happening across the street,” Brown said.

Clarke was waiting for the ambulance to come for his cousin Paul. He informed Brown that the cousin didn’t look too well the last time he saw him.

Brown noticed there was a red substance between a couple of Clarke’s fingers on his right hand.

Upon the ambulance’s departure, Brown asked Clarke to come back to the police station with him, which he did voluntarily, riding in the front seat with the police officer. “He was very cooperative,” Brown noted.

After being at the station for a while, Brown did eventually detain Clarke, reading him his rights. This was because of the shooting and the involvement of the sawed-off shotgun, a prohibited weapon. He still didn’t know what Clarke’s alleged role in the situation was. He permitted Clarke to call and leave a message for legal counsel, and took him outside to smoke.

Later that afternoon, when Brown got word that the victim had passed away, he told Clarke and “his eyes filled up.”

RCMP major crime investigators then arrived at the station to deal with Clarke.

It was noted the subsequent investigation led to other addresses in town and in the municipality.

The trial continues this week.