Cop who helped overpower Richard Henry Bain testifies at murder trial

MONTREAL – A police officer who helped overpower the man charged in Quebec’s 2012 election shooting has testified the accused pointed a weapon at him after allegedly killing a lighting technician.

Richard Henry Bain, 65, is on trial on one charge of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder and two fire-related charges stemming from events outside a nightclub where the Parti Quebecois was celebrating its victory nearly four years ago.

One of the attempted-murder charges against Bain involves provincial police officer Stephane Champagne, who told the jury Wednesday he heard on his radio that shots had been fired at the back of the Metropolis.

Champagne said he went outside and came face to face with an individual.

“I saw a man who, at first glance, seemed to be wearing a blue cape with a mask,” the officer testified.

Champagne said he shouted “police” at the person, who then lit a flare and tossed it toward the club before fleeing.

After a brief chase, the person stopped, turned around and pointed a weapon at him, Champagne told the jury of eight women and six men.

“He had a gun and he was trying to shoot,” he said. “It was pointed directly at my body.”

During his cross-examination, the sergeant said the suspect tried to shoot several times but that the weapon appeared to be jammed.

“I was about four feet away from him,” he said. “I had my weapon in my hands. The reflex I had was to throw my left hand on his right hand to make him drop his.”

Champagne told the jury he was able to overpower Bain with the help of another police sergeant and a Metropolis security employee.

Bain is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of lighting technician Denis Blanchette and with attempting to murder Champagne and stagehand David Courage. The other charge of attempted murder involves a group of 12 people.

Crown prosecutor Dennis Galiatsatos has said he plans to call up to 50 witnesses to prove Bain was the shooter that night.

Testimony began last Thursday.