Iqaluit, Nunavut (Canadian Press) – A Nunavut man says he was only trying to scare away an RCMP constable when he shot the young officer in the head through the window of his cruiser.
Ping Kolola, 39, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 20-year-old Const. Doug Scott in the remote community of Kimmirut.
It was standing-room only in the courtroom Friday as he took the stand in his own defence.
“I was trying to scare him off,” Kolola said, speaking in Inuktitut. “I wasn’t shooting at anything in particular.”
The jury has heard that Kolola was drunk and driving around town with his baby son in his lap after fighting with his common-law wife.
Kolola said he drank a small bottle of vodka and was suicidal on Nov. 5, 2007. That’s why he had his gun.
“I was angry and I wanted to kill myself.”
Kolola tried to turn his truck around but got stuck. He got out, carrying his rifle in one hand and the baby in the other, and began to make his way home on foot.
That’s when Scott, who had been called out to investigate a drunk driving complaint, pulled up.
But Kolola said he wanted to be left alone.
He fired. Scott, still in his cruiser with his weapon holstered, was hit.
The jury has already heard that the bullet went through the passenger window of the police truck.
Kolola said he approached the vehicle afterward.
“I looked inside. I saw a person. He was still. I got scared. I got shocked.”
Kolola left and headed back home. He surrendered to an RCMP emergency response team the next morning after an officer convinced him over the phone from Iqaluit to leave his house, where he had holed up.
The Crown attempted to challenge Kolola’s explanation by focusing on his training with the Canadian Rangers, a northern component of the military. The jury has already heard how Kolola was a decorated marksman.
The Crown also asked if Kolola wanted to be left alone, why didn’t he just continue walking home instead of turning around to confront the officer.
After Kolola’s testimony, the defence rested its case.
Kolola’s lawyer has told the jury that his client admits to shooting Scott and that the only issue is intent.
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Monday.
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