Richard Bain upset he couldn't vote on day of PQ election night shooting, court hears - Action News
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Richard Bain upset he couldn't vote on day of PQ election night shooting, court hears

A former Quebec election employee who spoke with Richard Bain the day of the attack on the Parti Qubcois's 2012 election-night victory party says Bain was unhappy that he couldn't vote, a jury heard Friday at the Montreal courthouse.

Man accused of attacking Parti Qubcois's 2012 election-night victory party

Richard Henry Bain faces several charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the Parti Qubcois election night victory shooting in September 2012. (CBC)

A former Quebec election employee who spoke with Richard Bain the day of the attack on the Parti Qubcois's 2012 election-night victory party says Bainwas unhappy that he couldn't vote, a jury heardFridayat the Montreal courthouse.

Crown prosecutor DennisGaliatsatoshas argued that the deadly shooting on the night of Sept. 4, 2012, was premeditated andprompted by political reasons.

Bainfaces six charges, including first-degree murder in the death oflighting technician DenisBlanchetteoutside Montreal'sMetropolis theatre as the PQ was celebrating its election win.

The 65-year-oldBainalso faces three charges of attempted murder and twoweapons-related counts.

The Crown's second witness, who is now retired, testified in Quebec Superior Courtthat she received a call from a riding office in La Conception the day of the attack.

CarolineHuottestifiedshe was asked to checkif a man by the name of RichardBainwas on the voter's list for the riding. She said he was, in fact, on the list forRepentigny.

Huottestified thatBainthenasked to speak with her directly, an unusual request, according toHuot, but she agreed to it.

She recalled thatBaintold her he hadn't lived inRepentignyfor three years, butHuotsaid she explained that it was his duty to make the change of address on the electoral list.

Huottold the court he replied to her in an "arrogant tone," telling her that he was a hunterand came from a family of great hunters.

When the defence pressedHuotfurther, she saidBaindid not make any threats, and that the call ended with her tellingBainto have a good day.

SUV parked nearby contained firearms, machete

Earlier on Friday, the court heard testimony from a police investigator about the evidence found at the crime scene.

Along with firearms, ammunition and a machete, investigators found a $150 ticket to a Liberal Party of Canada fundraiser in an SUV near the site of the PQelection night shooting.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, who was a Liberal member of Parliament at the time, wasnamed on the ticket as a guest speaker for the event.

The itemwas among a long list of evidencesubmitted on Day 2 of Bain's trial at the Montreal courthouse, during the testimony of Quebec provincial police Sgt.GuillaumeVezeau.

Vezeau, the head crime-sceneinvestigator for theSretduQubec,also presentedthe jury with photos of two long guns, a pistol and abulletproof vest found inside a black Yukon SUV near the site of the shooting.

Those weapons are in addition to a rifle and ahandgun found near the site of the shooting, the court heard.

A parking receipt from theMUHC'sRoyal Victoria Hospitaldated earlier that day, along with a bag of prescription medication from a pharmacy, were also found in the vehicle,Vezeausaid.

The Crown contendsBainfired one bullet from a semi-automatic rifle,hitting bothBlanchetteandDaveCourage, another stage hand injured in the shooting,before his weaponjammed.

Bain, who was wearing a neck brace in court following a recent operation,listened to the testimonywitha neutral expression on his face andhis arms folded.

During cross-examination,AlanGuttman,Bain'slawyer, pressedVezeauabout what time investigators arrived on the scene the morning after the attack andwhat timephotos were first taken of the crime scene.

He also questioned why Vezeau thought it was necessary to submit as evidence aphotograph of a federal Liberal fundraiser, given that the PQ is a provincial party.

"I thought it was an importantelement," Vezeau replied.

"It's not my place to decide if there's a link or not."

Story continues after the liveblogbelow.

Bain was politically motivated, Crown says

In his opening statement on Thursday,theCrown prosecutor said he intends to demonstrateBainwas politically motivated toshoot thenPQleaderPaulineMarois.

The Crown willpresent jurorswith testimony from about 50 witnesses,including Montreal and provincial police, employees of the Metropolis and David Courage, a stagehandBainis accused of attempting to kill that night.

Bain has pleadednot guilty to all six charges laid against him.

Although Bain was charged shortly after the shooting, thetrial has been delayed several timesand for several different reasons, such as Bain's failed attempts to find legal representation and a planned surgical operation forthe accused.

The trial continues on Monday.