Lawyer In Impaired Driving Trial Implicates Victim
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 14:09
Closing arguments have been delivered at the trial of a northern Saskatchewan man accused of causing a fatal accident in La Ronge two years ago.
For close to two hours this morning, lawyers gave their final thoughts to the jury surrounding the case of Wilbert Mercredi.
The Stony Rapids man is charged with impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving to the public, and driving with a blood alcohol level above .08 in the fatal crash that claimed the life of 57-year-old Larry Urquhart.
The prosecution laid out its case, citing witness testimony, breathalyzer readings and statements from accident reconstruction experts.
Prosecutor Rob MacKenzie said Mercredi’s blood alcohol reading was twice the legal limit, witnesses had placed him drinking at both a bar and trailer in the hours leading up to the accident, and that one witness told him not to drive home because of the way he had been
drinking.
The prosecution also said Mercredi’s assertion that the other car was driving in his lane simply couldn’t be believed.
MacKenzie said all of the debris, as well as oil and antifreeze stains, were on the other side of the road in the lane of the car driven by Urquhart.
The defence asked the jury to return with a finding of “not guilty”.
Lawyer Pab Chetty said the accident reconstructionist couldn’t say what the positions of the two vehicles were prior to the collision.
He also noted the deceased had alcohol in his system, too.
Chetty said his client had, at most, a few beers and a couple of shooters.
He also argued the breathalyzer sample couldn’t be believed.
Chetty noted the officers performing the sample claimed a test reading of 100% accuracy on the instrument — something Chetty said was a little too perfect.
He also said Mercredi’s explanation for the collision made sense, that Urquhart’s car swerved into his lane, collided with his truck, and sent the two vehicles over onto the other side of the highway.
The judge has adjourned the proceedings for the day.
Deliberations are due to begin tomorrow.