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Defense tries to discredit star witness in double-murder trial, questions his mental state

PENTICTON — Riveting testimony at a double murder trial in Penticton Thursday.  The lone survivor of a shooting, Bradley Martin, was asked several questions about who shot him and fatally shot two others.  Without hesitation,  Martin pointed at accused John Ike Koopmans.

READ MORE: Double-murder trial’s key witness: I looked down on my chest and saw blood pouring down

Martin was soft-spoken while he recalled the events of that night; the judge had to ask him on several occasions to speak up so everyone in the court room could hear him.

But during the cross-examination, Martin became louder and appeared to get defensive when questioned about his mental state.

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Martin told the jury how an RCMP officer was “gloating” at him after he got shot and even jumping in front of him, blocking his path to the ambulance.

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Defense lawyer Don Skogstad asked if he’s been called a paranoid schizophrenic. Martin responded that there have been many false accusations made about him in the past.

“RCMP dragged me to the psych ward but there’s nothing wrong with me…They observed me for three days and released me,” he said recalling an event that happened prior to the 2013 shooting.

Martin admitted he’s been seeing a “doctor of psychology” frequently in the Lower Mainland for the past year and half as a result of the trauma he suffered after getting shot.

Defense also asked about the witnesses’ drug use. Martin claimed he only used marijuana, but after initially denying doing other drugs, he admits he’s done “a few lines of crack cocaine” in the past.

“I’m going to suggest  that on March 20, 2013, you sold crack cocaine to your roommates Keith Wharton and Rose Fox.”

“You calling me a dealer?…Totally false and I don’t appreciate that,” Martin responded.

Skogstad claims Koopmans was going to help the couple pay for the drugs and Martin allegedly left Koopmans voicemail messages demanding the money.

Martin denies these allegations.

The cross-examination is expected to wrap up tomorrow.

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