WATCH: The trial for a Nova Scotia man, charged with threatening police and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, resumed today with the crown concluding its case against Christopher Phillips, and the defence calling it’s one and only witness to the stand. Global’s Natasha Pace reports.
HALIFAX – The dangerous chemicals trial of Christopher Phillips was back in Halifax Supreme Court on Thursday.
Phillips is charged with threatening police and possessing a weapon, the chemical osmium tetroxide, for a dangerous purpose.
RCMP Cst. Reeves testified against Phillips this morning saying he was initially worried about that if Phillips was travelling and was stopped by police he may carry out a threat against them.
The defense heard testimony from Dr. James Orr, a professor and expert witness. Dr. Orr was a professor of biochemistry and chemistry, and has used osmium tetroxide research.
Dr. Orr testified that in a normal sized room, throwing a box of vials containing osmium tetroxide would not cause a lot of harm to people, adding that the box the chemical was contained in would cause more harm.
“It doesn’t seem like a realistic, severe risk,” Orr said.
Orr also testified that though osmium tetroxide is corrosive to many materials, it is not an explosive chemical.
“It’s certainly not something I would use if I was making a dirty bomb,” Orr said
The 84-year-old said he was surprised the case against Phillips went to trial.
“When I read the email, it seemed to me as a chemist, this was a chemist making a joke,” said Orr.
Phillips’ attorney, Mike Taylor, said he understands the police reaction around the chemical case, and concern for public safety, but says charges may not always be warranted.
“The question of whether or not charges are appropriate or laid is a somewhat different issue. I have concerns about charges being laid that don’t need to be laid and that don’t reflect the evidence that’s been collected,” said Taylor.
Last week the trial heard from RCMP forensic chemist Melanie Brochu, as well as Phillips’ wife, Gosia Phillips.
Brochu testified that Phillips had enough chemicals in his possession to make 11 types of explosives.
Gosia Phillips testified that she was worried about the well-being and safety of her children with the vast amount of chemicals that her husband possessed.
Phillips was arrested on January 21 at a hotel in Ottawa hotel after an extensive man-hunt and evacuation of the hotel.
The incident caused the evacuation of a Halifax neighbourhood in Cole Harbour and a small rural community on the eastern shore after police found a large stockpile of chemicals belonging to Phillips at both locations.
Phillips has not pleaded guilty to either charge against him.
The proceedings wrapped up early in the afternoon. The crown and defense will present their closing arguments Friday at 10 a.m.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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