Ruling in John McFadden case expected October 21

The defence and Crown presented their final arguments in Yellowknife Friday in the case of a reporter charged with obstructing three RCMP officers.

John McFadden, who works for Northern News Services, was arrested while taking photos of police searching a van in front of the Elks Club last July. His trial began in June and resumed this week in the Northwest Territories Territorial Court.

On Thursday, McFadden said he approached the van outside the Black Knight pub in Yellowknife after having no more than three drinks that night.

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He said he wanted to take photos in case the incident was newsworthy.

His lawyer, Peter Harte, argued he was simply acting as a journalist and had no intention of intervening in the work of police.

The Crown prosecutor said that while it wasn't McFadden's motive to interfere with officers' work, he knew there was a possibility when he decided to get close to the van and take pictures.

Judge Garth Malakoe will make a final decision on this case on October 21.