Peter Kingwatsiak trial: accused testifies he blacked out during killing

In anIqaluitcourtroom filled with the victim's family and onlookers, PeterKingwatsiaktold his version of what happened the morning he killedMappalukAdlain CapeDorset,Nunavut.

Kingwatsiaktook the stand Wednesday to defend himself in his own murder trial. He's also charged with breaking and entering while committing an aggravated assault.

His lawyer James Morton is arguing the murder charge should be reduced to manslaughter becauseKingwatsiakwas high on gasoline fumes at the time of the homicide.

Kingwatsiaktestified he awoke at 3a.m. on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, and was bored at home. He went to his grandfather's boat and sniffed gasoline until he became numb. He said the next thing he remembered was standing outside the boat, so he went back in for another hit.

He left towardhis uncle's house, taking a .22-calibrerifle with him. On his way there, he spotted a Honda bike near the home. He removed the gas cap and took a third hit, at which point he thought he saw his unclewatching him through the window.

He turned his attention back to the gas tank, where he took a fourth hit. This time, he says, he took a deeper breath and blacked out.

Kingwatsiaktold the court he regained consciousness in the middle of attacking his uncle after slashing him in the face with a knife. He apologized and left.

He said he was on his way home, when hespotted a snowmobile. He approached it, removed the gas cap and inhaled gasoline for a fifth time.

"I was sniffing differently than the other times,"Kingwatsiaktestified through an interpreter. "I would breathe in the gas, hold it in my lungs until I couldn't hold it anymore, and then breathe it out. The high was more intense."

Kingwatsiaksays he blacked out again. The next thing he remembered was standing outsideAdla'shouse after shooting him in the head.

Denies witnesses' testimony

Kingwatsiakmade his way to his friendTytoosieTunnillie'shouse shortly after leavingAdla's. He said he doesn't know if he toldTunnillieabout killingAdla, while demonstrating how he did it

Tunnilliehad testified earlier in the day thatKingwatsiakhad confessed.

Kingwatsiakalso denied being jealous ofAdlafor befriending his ex-girlfriendGeenaLampron. While he admitted to threateningAdlawith an empty .303-calibrerifle after a community dance two days before the shooting, he said he just didn't like the friendship because he was trying to get back together withLampron.

He also denied previous testimony fromEtidloiAdla, the victim's brother, who saidKingwatsiakhad shot a rock pretending it to beMappalukAdla'shead.

The crown's cross-examination ofKingwatsiakwill begin Thursday, and it's expected to be lengthy. So much so that Justice BonnieTullochagreed to postpone the cross-examination until the afternoon so the defence's next witness, a toxicologist, couldtestify in the morning and be excused before lunch.