Charges dropped against 2 Bathurst police officers accused in shooting death

All charges against two Bathurst police officers accused in the shooting death of Michel Vienneaumore than two years ago have been dropped.

Const. Patrick Bulger, 38, of Beresfordand Const. Mathieu Boudreau 26, of Dunlopwere each facing charges ofmanslaughter with a weapon, assault with a weapon and unlawfully pointing a firearm.

But Judge AnneDugas-Horsmanruled Friday they will not stand trial.

Theprosecution failed to meet the threshold that both accused engaged in an illegal act when they attempted to arrest Vienneau, she said.

Boudreau and his family wept and other supporters in the Bathurst courtroom cheered. Vienneau's brother sat stone-faced.

Outside the courthouse, Crown prosecutor Stephen Holt spoke on behalf of Vienneau's family members. They are devastated by the judge's decision, he said.

Vienneau, 51,was shotin the parking lot of theVia Rail station inBathurston Jan. 12, 2015, after getting off a train from Montreal.

Court documents filed in alawsuit by Vienneau's partner, Annick Basque, revealed police were actingon a Crime Stoppers tip when they stopped the coupleas they were coming off the train.

Other documents filed by the City of Bathurstsay the officers fired in self-defence after Vienneau's car accelerated toward one of them, pinning him against a snowbank.

Boudreauand Bulger were chargedin November 2015, following an investigation by the Nova Scotia RCMP, who concluded Vienneau was not involved in any criminal activity.

The two officers have been suspended with pay since then, pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

Dugas-Horsmanissued her ruling, based on a preliminary inquiry that was heldon non-consecutive dates between August and October.

Preliminary inquiries are held to determine whether there was enough evidence to proceed to trial.