The defence lawyer for an Edmonton man charged with manslaughter in the deaths of two police officers argues that his client is being used as a scapegoat. The case involves the tragic deaths of Const. Travis Jordan, 35, and Const. Brett Ryan, 30, who were killed on March 16, 2023, while responding to a call at an apartment complex in Edmonton.
During a court appearance on Wednesday, defence counsel stated that the charges are an attempt to deflect responsibility from systemic failures within the police force and the justice system. The lawyer emphasized that his client was not directly responsible for the officers' deaths and that the prosecution is unfairly targeting him to appease public outcry.
The accused, whose name has not been released due to a publication ban, faces multiple counts of manslaughter. The Crown alleges that his actions contributed to the chain of events leading to the fatal shooting. However, the defence maintains that the evidence does not support such a serious charge and that the accused is being used as a convenient scapegoat.
The officers were fatally shot while responding to a domestic dispute call. The shooter, who died at the scene, was the subject of the call. The accused is alleged to have provided the shooter with the firearm used in the killings, though the defence disputes this claim.
The case has drawn significant attention, with police unions and community members calling for justice for the fallen officers. The defence argues that the intense public pressure has influenced the Crown's decision to lay manslaughter charges rather than lesser offences.
The trial is expected to begin later this year. The defence has indicated it will seek to have the charges reduced or dismissed, citing a lack of direct causation between the accused's actions and the officers' deaths.
