PENTICTON — It was exactly two years ago when three people were shot in a home near Princeton. Robert Keith Wharton and Rosemary Fox both died, while a third person survived. Today, crown counsel suggested the crime was fueled by hate and anger.
READ MORE: SUSPECTED PRINCETON MURDERER TESTIFIES
The accused, John Ike Koopmans, took the stand for cross-examination.
Crown prosecutor Frank Dubenski suggested that Koopmans thought he could get away with the crimes because of the victims’ reputations.
“You were thinking since everybody believes Wharton is a drug addict and drug dealer, if you wanted to hurt him, it would be pretty easy to blame someone with that underground lifestyle.”
Koopmans said this was not true.
The accused explained why Wharton’s blood was found on his clothing last Friday. He testified that Wharton had cut himself; a dog had licked up the blood and then sneezed on him.
Crown counsel didn’t buy his alibi, saying it’s a fabrication.
“You’re making it up to cover up the fact that you were there when you shot him and that’s how you got blood on you,” said Dubenski.
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Koopmans stood by his story.
The third person shot, Bradley Martin, was the only person to survive. Dubenski suggested that since there was a survivor, Koopmans had to hide in a camper behind Wharton’s home, where he was arrested the next day.
“Martin got away and you had no choice but to stay on the property, hiding in the bush, for some opportunity to slip away,” said Dubenski.
Koopmans testified he had no reason to shoot three of his friends.
Crown said he had many reasons: About a month before the triple shooting, Koopman’s home was broken into where a dozen guns and other valueables were stolen. It’s believed Wharton played a part in the break-and-enter.
Dubenski suggested the shooting was in retaliation.
“You shot Wharton three times in the head at close range because you hated him at that moment.”
With that, crown counsel wrapped up his cross-examination.
Koopmans remained calm throughout his testimonies, denying the allegations.
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