The coroner at the inquest into the death of Fredy Villanueva is starting to show signs of impatience, accusing lawyers of asking repetitive questions to the police officer who shot the teen.
Justice Andre Perreault heard several lawyers examine and cross-examine Const. Jean-Loup Lapointe for a fifth day at the Montreal courthouse.
Lawyers for the defence grilled Lapointe about his actions on Aug. 9, 2008, when he and his partner confronted a group of teens in a park in Montreal North.
A scuffle had broken out as Lapointe tried to ticket the youths for playing dice for money, and Lapointe shot Fredy Villanueva, 18, and wounded two others.
Grilled
Lapointe sat impassively and answered questions in a calm, even tone Friday as he was peppered with questions.
One lawyer asked Lapointe why he used his gun instead of night stick.
The officer replied that he was on the ground trying to control Dany Villanueva, who had become belligerent, and that he was in no position to pull out his baton.
Frustrated
Justice Perreault stopped the line of questioning at one point, telling lawyers that they were arguing with the officer without revealing new information.
But Lapointe might remain on the stand into next week -- several more lawyers have yet to question him.
