Accused in standoff testifies he was 'scared'

A man accused in an armed standoff on P.E.I.'s North Shore in March took the stand in his own defence Tuesday.

Joel Clow, 42 of Covehead, testifying in provincial court in Charlottetown, denied what witnesses have claimed during the trial.

Clow disputed that he had been drinking excessively, saying that he had had only three beers. He said he had been arguing with his wife, but he didn't assault her physically.

When RCMP arrived at his house, he said he didn't come out for an hour and a half because he was "scared, confused and upset."

He admitted he lied to police that there was no gun in the house because he was scared. One of his two sons, who was in the house at the time, hid the unregistered semi-automatic shotgun in the attic.Clow testified he did not resist arrest.

He closed his testimony saying if he could turn back time, he would.

The Crown will make its closing statement before Judge Nancy Orr Wednesday.