Leo Crockwell acquitted of 2 Bay Bulls standoff charges
Now facing six charges related to the week-long standoff with police
CBC News
Posted: May 28, 2012 10:43 AM NT
Last Updated: May 28, 2012 7:32 PM NT
Leo Crockwell, who has been defending himself at Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, did not call evidence. (CBC )
A judge has acquitted Leo Crockwell of two of the eight charges he was facing in relation to a 2010 standoff with police in Bay Bulls.
Justice Richard LeBlanc has found Crockwell not guilty of possessing a firearm without a licence and not guilty of assault.
LeBlanc did not give the jury the reasons for his decision during Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador proceedings on Monday.
The jury will still have to deal with six other charges, including assaulting his sister with a weapon and unlawfully discharging a firearm.
Justice Richard LeBlanc did not tell the jury his reasons for finding Leo Crockwell not guilty of two of the eight charges that had been brought against him. (CBC )Meanwhile, the Crown laid out its case during summations before the jury of eight women and four men.
Prosecutor Elizabeth Ivany reminded the jury that both Crockwell's sister and mother had "described the odd behaviour of Mr. Crockwell prior to them leaving the house."
The December 2010 standoff started soon after the two women fled the house, and allegedly after Leo Crockwell had assaulted his sister just outside the family home.
"Catherine Crockwell said that at the back door, she was pushed outside. [Leo Crockwell] pushed a gun away from the back of her head, and that she was kicked in the head three or four times," Ivany told the jury.
His mother, Margaret Crockwell, was so concerned about her son's behaviour that "she slept in her clothes" the night before the alleged assault.
Ivany also focused her attention on the night of Dec. 8, 2010, midway through the weeklong standoff, when the police tried to breach the back door and shots were allegedly fired in their direction.
"There are inconsistencies, but you would be suspicious if they [the police officers] all said the same thing," Ivany said.
She reminded the jurors that's it's been a year and a half since the standoff ended, and that the officers had their own jobs to do during what she called a "very high-risk" situation.
"The Crown has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt," Ivany concluded.
Crockwell, who fired his lawyer at the beginning of the trial and has been representing himself since, did not call any evidence during the trial. He is expected to give his own summation on Tuesday.
LeBlanc is scheduled to give his charge to the jury on Thursday. After he finishes, the jury will be sequestered to begin deliberations.
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