What we know so far about Quebec's deadly election-night shooting
Warning: This article includes explicit language
Accused murdererRichard Bainhas been painted by the Crownasadivinely-inspired,gun-loving manwho went to Montreal's Metropolis nightclubtostop premier-designate Pauline Marois from celebrating her victory four years ago.
Afterspending15 days leadingthe jury throughthe events leading up to the deadly shooting at the Metropolis onSept. 4, 2012, its chaotic aftermath,and the police investigation that followed,Crown prosecutorDennisGaliatsatoshas nowwrapped up hiscase in the Quebec election-night murder trial.
Bain is accused of first-degree murder in the death of lighting technicianDenis Blanchetteas well asthree counts of attempted murder, arson charges and possession of an incendiary device. He has pleaded not guilty and the defence has yet to present its case.
Blanchette was gunned down outside the Metropolis as the Parti Qubcoiscelebrated its newly-elected minority government inside.
Here are eightkey things the jury learned fromthe Crown's case:
1. Richard Bain:'Maroisis f--kingshit'
TheCrown set out to prove that the murder of Denis Blanchette was politically-motivated,and key testimony supporting its casecame from aman from La Conception, Que.
Steve Pilontold the court he was having an evening beeron a local terrasse four days before the shooting, when he saw Bainapproach, dressed unusually in a kilt.
The accused joined the group on the patio, and the conversation eventually turned topolitics, Pilon testified.
He said Bain suggested heshould votefor the Coalition Avenir Qubec, but Pilon said the election was about the youth, and that mostwould be supporting Pauline Marois and the Parti Qubcois.
PilonrepeatedBain's answer for the court:"Mr. Bain said that Marois is, excuse the language ... that she's 'f---king shit.'"
2. Bain was unhappyhe couldn't vote
The Crown also called aformerQuebec election employee to testify about a conversation she had the day of the shooting.
CarolineHuot told the juryshe spoke with a man over the phone who wasidentified as RichardBain.
She testified that shegot a call from ariding office in La Conception, Que., askingif she could check to see ifBainwason the voter's list.
Huot saidwhen she toldBain hewas listed in Repentigny,not La Conception, thathe was unhappy andspoke to herin an "arrogant tone," sayingthat he was froma family of great hunters.
3.Bainvisited sick sister-in-law before shooting
Evidence presented by the Crown showsthatBainwas acting calm and normal the afternoonbefore the shooting.
The jury heard that onSept. 4, 2012,Bainstopped by Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital, where his sister-in-law was recovering from an operation.
Bain'sbrother, Robert, told a police officer that they had lunch together at the hospital cafeteria.
RichardBainasked Robert for directions to Metropolis before the shooting, thejury heard.
"He asked me where the Metropolis was, and I didn't know," RobertBainsaid in a recording of the police interviewshown in court.
4. Bald man seen drivingby Metropolis
The jury heard that later that day, a man matchingBain's descriptionwas spotted driving by the Metropolis three times.
Audio-visual technician PatrickMagnanwas working outsidethe Metropolis concert venue,setting up a giant screen for the PQ'selection-night rally.
He told the jury that he recalled seeing a bald manwearing glasses drive by three times in the span of an hour that afternoon.
He said he likes suburban-style vehicles, and so theblack Yukon caught his eye.
In later testimony from a police officer, the jury heard that after Bain was handcuffed he pointed to a black Yukon DenaliSUV in the parking lot and said, "It's my car, the Denali."
5. He 'just wanted to shoot over their heads'
In the chaos that followed the deadly shooting behind the Metropolis, the jury heard how Bain was tackled to the ground and handcuffed by police.
Arresting police officer Const.MathieuBrassardtold the jury what Bain said to him after being arrested.
He saidthe accused toldhim, "I just wanted to shoot over their heads, but I got one. It jammed."
Brassardtold the jury that he askedBain why he did it.Though he couldn't understand the first part of the answer, he said itended with "against the bitch."
6.A 'vision' from 'God of Abraham'
More evidence supporting the Crown'spolitical-motivetheorycame from a conversationBainhad with a journalist.
Fast-forward to two weeks after the fatal shooting, whenBainphonedEnglish Montreal radio stationCJADfrom jail.
The jury heard thatBaincalledCJAD'snewsroomonSept. 19, 2012,and told journalistTrudieMasonthathe had a vision from "the God of Abraham" for Montreal to separate from Quebecand become its own province.
"The vision that I have that there will be harmonyamongst the English-speaking people, and the allophones and thefrancophoneson the Island of Montreal. And that there will be peace and harmony on this Island of Montreal,"Bainsays in a audio recording of the call.
He outlinedhisplan,using hockey metaphors to explain himself.
"If they want to separate from Canada, we will play the same game,Canadiensversus Maple Leafs ...TheCanadiensgo up against Toronto all the time. The Island of Montreal can go up against the militant separatists."
7. Gun could have fired 30 rounds in under 1 minute
Two guns were seized from Bainafter policetackled him to the ground a CZ-75 handgun anda CZ-858 semi-automatic.
Ballistics expertGilbertDesjardins told the jury the rifle was fitted with amagazine that had been illegally modifiedso that 30 rounds could fit inside.
The legal limit in Canada for that kind of gun is five.
Desjardins said the gun could have fired all 30 rounds in less than a minute.
When the rifle was seized by police, it wasjammedwith one bullet stuck halfway into the chamber.
8. Bain'sSUV and cabin were stocked with weapons
The Crown has meticulously listed theguns, knives and ammunition found on the accused, in his SUVand at his residence.
Altogether, 15 firearms were seized from Bain, his vehicleand his home in La Conception, Que.
In addition to the two guns found onBainwhen he was arrested, policealsofound two semi-automatic rifles and another handgunin the SUV, along with several loaded magazines.
The vehicle also had a machete and a bullet-proof vest inside.
At Bain's cabin and propertyin La Conception, Que., police found several more semi-automatic rifles, a Smith & Wesson revolverand ashotgun, aswell as more than20,000 rounds of ammunitionand a crossbow.
Bainhad permits for all of the guns he owned andnone of the guns were prohibited.
The trial resumes on July 18, whenthe defence will call its first witness.
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