Sharif aimed to kill as many people as possible: Crown
Prosecutors argue Abdulahi Sharif intended to cause as much death and destruction as possible on the streets of Edmonton two years ago, but another lawyer said the jury should consider alternate theories.
The jury trying Sharif on 11 charges, including five counts of attempted murder, heard closing arguments Wednesday.
For three weeks, they’ve listened to evidence from dozens of witnesses to the events of Sept. 30, 2017, when five people including a police officer were injured in a pair of alleged vehicle attacks.
During closing arguments, they heard theories on what that evidence means.
Chief Crown prosecutor Shelley
Bykewich argued Sharif went to “extraordinary lengths to cause as much chaos, destruction and indiscriminate death as possible in the city of Edmonton. Despite the accused’s best efforts ... he failed to kill anyone.”
The Crown alleges Sharif, 32, struck Const. Mike Chernyk with his car as the officer stood at a gameday traffic post outside Commonwealth Stadium. Bykewich pointed to testimony from passersby who heard the engine of the white Chevy Malibu rev continuously as it careened through Cherynk and into the officer’s cruiser.
Witnesses then saw a man exit the car and descend on the downed officer. The man first plunged a knife ineffectively into Chernyk’s body armour. He then stabbed at Chernyk’s face with one hand, while struggling to grab the officer’s gun. Chernyk eventually gained the upper hand and the man fled.
Bykewich argued the accused’s intent was to provoke a response by killing a police officer.
“This was all about the uniform,” she said. She said he was still in the area three hours later, when he was spotted at a police traffic checkpoint behind the wheel of a 15-foot U-haul.
“He returned to the area, knowing it would be crawling with police,” Bykewich said. “Why? The Crown submits he was there because this was the next part of his plan. Bait the police and go out in a blaze of destruction.”
Sharif is self-represented, and has declined to cross-examine any of the Crown’s 41 witnesses. He also declined to call evidence or testify himself.
To assist in the case, the court appointed a veteran criminal defence lawyer as amicus curiae, Latin for friend of the court.
In a submission Wednesday, lawyer Greg Lazin stressed he is not Sharif ’s counsel. He told the jury he and the accused have never spoken.
Lazin said while he had to remain neutral, he could point out aspects of the evidence that might assist the jury in their deliberations.
Lazin said the Crown argued the fact the U-haul turned west onto 106 Avenue after fleeing the police checkpoint at Wayne Gretzky Drive and 112 Avenue showed the driver intended to go to the heart of the city and cause as much damage as possible.
Bykewich reiterated this point when showing security camera footage, in which the U-haul is seen driving left of centre down
Jasper Avenue.
Lazin suggested the jury ought to take a close look at that evidence.
“The U-haul to this point has demonstrated behaviour that the Crown suggests proves one thing. You may want to consider whether the U-haul is simply looking for the easiest method of escape.”
Lazin also highlighted evidence from a motorist who said the U-haul “regained control” after it struck two female pedestrians on the sidewalk outside Audreys Books at 107 Street and Jasper. He said this might suggest the truck was out of control as it went over the curb.
To convict someone of attempted murder, Lazin said the Crown must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the person had the specific intent to kill.
“Recklessness, the intention to inflict harm, even significant harm, is not enough.”
“There has to be a specific intent to kill. Hopefully, the pointing out of certain aspects of the evidence will help you come to a decision as to whether the Crown has proved the specific intent for the attempted murder charges.”
Justice Paul Belzil will deliver his charge to the jury Thursday, after which jurors will begin deliberations.
The Crown submits he was there because this was the next part of his plan. Bait the police and go out in a blaze of destruction.”