By Taylor MacPherson

Knife pulled on two accused before shooting death: Witness

Feb 1, 2017 | 3:59 PM

A witness described a knife being pulled on un-invited party guests moments before a gunshot rang out on the night when 17-year-old Clayton Bear was shot.

Jordan Christopher Herron, 23, and Orren Johnson, 28, are both facing first-degree murder charges for their alleged involvement in Bear’s death. This morning, Feb. 1, the jury heard from Kelsey Rose Bear, 21, who testified she was with both accused men on the night of the shooting in 2014.

Bear, who is not related to the departed, said she was sharing drinks with friends at Johnson’s residence in Prince Albert when the group decided to go to a different party on 27th St. E. She said she took a cab to the well-known party house along with the other ladies while the three men, including Herron and Johnson, said they would follow in a different vehicle.

According to Bear, the ladies arrived at the party and had more drinks, but said when the men arrived some time later they were not welcomed by one of the partiers.

“One of the guys jumped up and pulled out a knife,” Bear said.

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Bear said the man with the knife was one Derrek Laliberte, who she knew by his nickname ‘Rick James.’ According to Bear, Laliberte chased Herron and Johnson out the front door just seconds after their arrival.

“The gunshot went off, and we all ducked,” she said.

Bear described hearing a single shot fired outside, which punched a hole through the front window. She said she ran outside and jumped into a vehicle with Herron and Johnson just as they were leaving, and the group returned to Johnson’s residence.

“They were getting mad,” Bear said. “All the guys were just talking. I don’t know what they were talking about.”

The witness said she fell asleep on the couch soon after, and after awaking the next morning she discovered she was alone in the house and took a cab home.

On cross-examination, Herron’s defence lawyer Mary McAuley questioned Bear’s sobriety during the events and noted she was drinking heavily for two straight days before the shooting. McAuley also drew attention to Bear’s previous statements to police in which she said Johnson carried a gun, but on the stand Bear said she was speculating at the time.

“You have a lot of problems with your memory about this night,” Johnson’s defence lawyer Lisa Trach told Bear. Trach pointed out Bear’s story changed several times, and noted her initial statement to police said Herron and Johnson arrived at the party after the gunshot had occurred.

Trach also noted Bear is currently facing criminal charges for drug possession.

The trial, currently in its second week at Prince Albert’s Court of Queen’s Bench, is expected to conclude Feb. 17.

Taylor.MacPherson@jpbg.ca
@TMacPhersonNews

EDITOR’S NOTE: As this case is before the courts, commenting on this story will be closed.