Expert can’t match shell casing with accused Nunavut cop-killer’s rifle

An RCMP firearms expert told an Iqaluit court March 1 that he couldn’t make a complete match between a shell casing and a rifle found in Pingoatuk Kolola’s home after the shooting death of Const. Douglas Scott in November 2007.

Pingoatuk Kolola, 39, has stood trial since the beginning of last week on a first-degree charge related to Scott’s death.

Kramer Powley told jurors Monday that the mark left by the firing pin of the rifle appeared to match the mark left on the shell casing.

But he said he couldn’t make a match between the breech face, the part of the rifle the cartridge sits against before it’s fired, and the shell casing found in Kolola’s home.

Something as small as a tiny stone would be enough to prevent a match, Powley said.

Powley also described the angle at which the bullet likely entered the passenger window of the RCMP truck Scott was driving the night he died.

Powley said in his evidence that the bullet struck Scott in the face.

The Crown also entered into evidence an autopsy report that said Scott died of a gunshot to the head that perforated his brain.

Defence lawyer Andy Mahar accepted the report, which means the jury must consider the autopsy results as fact.

The trial continues March 2, when the Crown will play a video of Kolola’s interview with police after his arrest.

That’s expected to be the Crown’s final piece of evidence.