The Crown has closed its case at the trial of two men accused in a “targeted shooting” at a car with a suspected rival gang member inside.
William Joseph Paul used a sawed-off shotgun to fire a modified shell with a marble inside that he brought into a stolen car driven by William Roderick Gunn, prosecutor Cory Bliss said during his closing arguments. The three-day trial at Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench wrapped up on Wednesday after defence lawyers said they would not call any evidence.
Paul and Gunn are charged with multiple offences related to the stolen car, the shooting and a police chase that ended in their arrest on March 21, 2015.
The shooting took place during the day near Fairlight Drive and 22nd Street. Witnesses testified Gunn drove into a ditch beside a car that was stopped in traffic, waited for Paul to shoot the car, and took off. The shot did not penetrate the vehicle and no one was hurt.
Two men are on trial for shooting at this car during a chase on March. 21, 2015.
Bliss said Paul and Gunn should be convicted of attempting to endanger a life by discharging a firearm because the shot was fired from close range and hit just below the back window, where the passengers were likely ducking down. Although Gunn didn’t fire the shot, he passed the firearm to Paul and was the getaway driver, Bliss argued.
The key testimony came from two people who were parties to the offence: Kendrea McDonnell and an 18-year-old man who cannot be named because he was sentenced as a youth in connection with the case.
They both testified that Gunn was driving when Paul fired the shotgun from the seat behind him. Officers found the men in those positions after Gunn crashed into a garage while fleeing police, the trial heard.
Bliss said even if the witnesses’ credibility is questioned due to inconsistent statements, their key evidence was corroborated not only by each other but also by the driver of the targeted car, who testified that the shot came from the driver’s side back seat.
McDonnell and the youth said the shooting resulted from a gang altercation in a parking lot on Pendygrasse Road. The youth admitted being affiliated with the Saskatchewan Warriors and could have easily lied to protect his fellow gang members, Bliss noted.
The defence is expected to file written arguments at the end of the month. The case has been adjourned until April for further submissions.
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