Closing arguments in Stanley trial Thursday
Lawyers on both sides of the Gerald Stanley trial are expected to deliver their closing statements on Thursday.
Once that happens, Chief Justice Martel Popescul will give instructions to the jurors and they will be charged with determining Stanley’s guilt or innocence.
Stanley, 56, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Colten Boushie, a Cree man from Red Pheasant First Nation. Boushie was 22 years old when he died of a single gunshot wound to the head on Aug. 9, 2016.
Stanley’s trial got underway at Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench last week and all witnesses were called by end of day on Monday.
Popescul and the lawyers involved in the case met on Tuesday in the absence of the jury to discuss the instructions to be given to the jury. A publication ban applies to anything discussed in court when the jury is not present. Popescul is expected to spend today writing the jury instructions and jurors have been asked to return to court on Thursday by 10 a.m. to hear closing arguments.
Stanley, who is not in custody, testified in his own defence on Monday. He told the jury his handgun “just went off ” when he confronted a vehicle that had driven onto his property.
A forensic expert testified last week that the cartridge casing that contained the bullet that killed Boushie had an “unusual bulge,” suggesting something went wrong when the gun discharged.