Kristi Patton – Penticton Western News
Published: January 28, 2010 6:00 PM
Testimony from a former Summerland RCMP officer paints a very different picture of a roadside assault which brought criminal charges against him.
Cpl. Andre Turcotte took the stand at Penticton provincial court this week facing charges of assault causing bodily harm in an incident that took place on Highway 97 in Summerland Nov. 20, 2007.
“I see myself as the victim in all of this, not the assailant,” said Turcotte on Thursday while being cross-examined by the Crown prosecutor.
While returning to Summerland from Penticton with a friend on the evening of the incident, Turcotte said a speeding car came up behind them near Pyramid Beach, causing them to swerve right onto the gravel section.
“It was close enough that I thought I was going to end up in the lake,” said Turcotte, who was off-duty at the time. “My heart was pounding. I thought I was very close to being in a serious accident.”
Turcotte said an excessively speeding red Acura was weaving in and out of the lanes and glanced off a meridian. The off-duty officer said by the time they got to the intersection at Prairie Valley Road, the Acura was sitting at the red light. As they proceeded through the intersection Turcotte said the male passenger (Scott Campbell) in the Acura gave the middle finger to them.
“He then gestured with both his hands, proceeding to shoot me like he had hand guns in each of his hands,” said Turcotte.
The Acura maintained speed with them and appeared to swerve into his lane twice, prompting Turcotte to flash his headlights. Turcotte said he was planning to make a U-turn to get away from the vehicle but the Acura veered quickly into their lane and slammed to a complete stop. Turcotte said the passenger immediately got out of the Acura and made his way to his window.
In July, Campbell testified that it was Turcotte who got out of the car and came to his window. Campbell also said the off-duty officer had flashed his badge and told them he was RCMP. Turcotte denied those statements.
“He’s yelling loud, pushing me and he wanted to go for a fight,” said Turcotte, adding he put his right hand up in an unsuccessful attempt to block the strike. “He grabbed me with both hands, getting hold of my jacket at the shoulder level and he yanks me really hard in an attempt to get me to the ground.”
Turcotte said after telling Campbell to let go numerous times unsuccessfully, Campbell fell to the ground in front of the Acura. Turcotte said he was still on his feet bent over because of the grip Campbell had on his jacket. After more attempts at asking Campbell to let go he punched the man twice in the “elbow area.” Turcotte said this did not work.
“I proceeded to tell him numerous times to let go, then I proceeded to strike him once in the facial area,” said Turcotte.
Campbell then allegedly let go and as Turcotte began to back away he said the man appeared to be grabbing for his legs. Turcotte said the man was slowly getting up as Turcotte backed away towards his own car. Turcotte said he saw another vehicle approaching, and concerned that the female driver had called for accomplices he decided to get in his car and leave.
The witnesses in the passing car, who were returning home from a concert in Kelowna, told the court in July they saw what turned out to be Turcotte throw several punches and at least three kicks. Defence lawyer Reg Harris asked the officer on Wednesday if he had laid any more blows or kicks to Campbell, Turcotte responded “no,” and “never.”
Turcotte did not report the incident to RCMP that evening and didn’t say anything the following day at work when a question was posed to the officers at the detachment by another member if any of them “kick the (expletive) out of some guy last night?”
He said it wasn’t until he heard his name being called across the police radio on a licence check when he learned he was being accused of something.
Turcotte said he did not immediately report the incident to a superior because he wanted to get some advice and “didn’t feel comfortable” talking to the superior. After receiving advice, Turcotte said he contacted the supervising officer in the following days and explained everything that happened.
Kristi Patton (Penticton Western News) – Testimony from a former Summerland RCMP officer paints a very different picture of a roadside assault which brought criminal charges against him.
Cpl. Andre Turcotte took the stand at Penticton provincial court this week facing charges of assault causing bodily harm in an incident that took place on Highway 97 in Summerland Nov. 20, 2007.
“I see myself as the victim in all of this, not the assailant,” said Turcotte on Thursday while being cross-examined by the Crown prosecutor. Continued…
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