Gregson trial hears testimony of Mountie past
Posted Mar 3, 2012 06:48:46 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The first week of the trial for accused murderer Kevin Gregson has been adjourned until Monday, when witnesses for the crown are expected to take the stand.
Testimony has been heard from the four paramedics who pulled Gregson off of Const. Eric Czapnik, the morning he was stabbed to death in his police cruiser outside the Ottawa Hospital.
Thursday morning saw testimony from the doctor who tried desperately to save Const. Eric Czapnik’s life, as well as the pathologist who performed the autopsy. Many attending the trial were upset and were forced to look away as graphic photos from Czapnik’s autopsy were shown.
The trial continued Friday when the crown called three police officers to the stand, Constables Gregory Thomson, Carl Dejong, and Jean-Francois Martin. Each had been assigned to guarding Gregson the day he was arrested.
Each recalled him displaying no emotions as he asked a series of questions and made several requests throughout the day. All three officers used “flat” to describe Gregson’s demeanour.
Thompson described Gregson asking a nurse why he didn’t cut his arteries when he inflicted wounds on his neck. She explained it was the body’s defences kicking in.
Thompson recalled Gregson’s question sounded simply” curious,” like “someone on the Discovery Channel.”
He added when Gregson was asked if he knew why he was there, in a procedure room at the Civic Campus handcuffed to a gurney, Gregson replied, “because I killed a cop.”
In testimony given on Friday, the court learned unrevealed details about Gregson’s history in the R-C-M-P including a sick leave where he lost privileges to carry a gun and his discharge due to criminal charges.
Const. Czapnik’s widow Anna Korutowska spoke publically for the first time during the trial following the testimony on Friday. She said that while it’s taken more than two years for the trial to begin, she’s glad for the wait because the delay has given her a chance to grieve. She also said she will be able to deliver clear testimony and not be distraught.
