ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – The Newfoundland man who slipped undetected from a week-long standoff with the RCMP says the confrontation started because someone drugged him.
Leo Crockwell, who is representing himself, summed up his defence today in provincial Supreme Court in St. John’s before a jury of eight women and four men.
He has pleaded not guilty to six charges, including reckless discharge of a firearm and assault with a weapon.
His sister Catherine Crockwell has accused him of shoving her down on Dec. 4, 2010, holding a rifle to the back of her neck and kicking her in the head and face.
Get breaking National news
Leo Crockwell denied the assault and asked how his sister could have been kicked in the face if a rifle was being held to the back of her neck.
He said he suddenly felt so ill on the morning of Dec. 4 that he believes someone drugged him.
Crockwell, 57, told the jury that the RCMP launched an illegal attack on his house without ever presenting or giving him notice of a warrant.
He said several Mounties offered inconsistent testimony about whether one or two shots were allegedly fired from the home as officers were hitting the back door with a battering ram.
Crockwell says he acted in self-defence and that the Crown failed to prove its case on all counts beyond a reasonable doubt.
Crockwell has been in custody since he was arrested Dec. 11, 2010, at a home several kilometres from his mother’s house in Bay Bulls, N.L., where the standoff took place.
Police used negotiators, tear gas and pepper spray to try to get Crockwell out of the home before he escaped Dec. 10, 2010, as they flooded it with water.
-
![]()
Chinatown Impact Fund supporting businesses in historic Vancouver neighbourhood -
![]()
Mark Carney talks U.S. trade and pipelines in end of year interview -
![]()
King Charles shares 2025 Christmas message: Remembers ‘courage and sacrifice’ of war veterans -
![]()
What to watch on STACKTV: Top shows you should be streaming now
Comments