Crown reveals new version of events at Gerald Stanley trial

Three gunshots.

That’s how many bullets the Crown said were fired from a gun belonging to Gerald Stanley on Aug. 9, 2016.

The revelation came during opening arguments in Stanley’s second-degree murder trial in Battleford, Sask. on Tuesday.

Crown Prosecutor Bill Burge told the jury they would later be hearing from Stanley’s son Sheldon, who had been working on a fence with his father when an SUV Colten Boushie and friends were in rolled on to the Biggar-area farm.

Burge said Sheldon would tell them the “very loud vehicle” stopped by a truck in the yard, and someone got inside. The Stanleys thought it was a vehicle owner coming to pick up their ride, after Gerald had done some mechanical work on it.

However, they then saw the SUV pull further into the yard, according to Burge, and someone then fired up a quad.

The Stanleys chased after, yelling, and the people outside the SUV jumped back in and the vehicle backed up. Burge said Sheldon then hit the car with a hammer.

The SUV then pulled forward, heading for the grid road according to Burge, while Sheldon ran to the house to get his car keys so he could follow.

Burge told the jury Sheldon then heard two gunshots, and as he came back outside, he heard a third.

He saw his father standing by the SUV, which had crashed into another vehicle in the yard. Gerald Stanley was holding a handgun in one hand, and a clip in the other.

Burge said Sheldon would tell them he also saw Boushie slumped over on the steering wheel.

The Crown lawyer added he would also be entering in expert reports from firearms and forensic specialists, who found a shell casing on the dashboard of the SUV belonged to Gerald Stanley’s gun.

He added Boushie was killed by a single gunshot wound, which entered behind his left ear.

Burge said the majority of the facts were agreed to by defence lawyer Scott Spencer, meaning they could get down to the reasons behind the incident.

“This may be a shorter case than many murder trials … because my friend here has been very professional,” Burge said.

The Crown unveiled plans to bring 10 witnesses before the jury over the next several days, starting with three police officers who attended the scene shortly after Boushie was shot.

“Civilian witnesses” are expected to begin their testimony Wednesday, starting with Sheldon Stanley. From there, all four other occupants of the SUV were expected to give their version of events – including Eric Meechance, who spoke to media about what he saw in the days after Boushie’s death.

Follow 980 CJME’s Kevin Martel on Twitter for live updates from the courtroom.