Richard Bain murder trial: Police found stockpile of guns, ammo at rustic cabin
Miscellaneous ammunition was stored throughout Bain's house, jury in murder trial hears
The day after a man was shot and killed outside the Parti Québécois election party, provincial police drove to Richard Bain's remote fishing lodge roughly two hours northwest of Montreal, a Quebec Superior Court has heard.
After travelling roughly one kilometre up a dirt road in La Conception, Que., police found an off-the-grid cabin overlooking a private lake.
On the property police found a total of 12 guns, more than 20,000 rounds of ammunition, and a crossbow.
Some of the firearms were stashed inside a cubby in the main cabin's kitchen. Investigators found them in a hidden hidden compartment in the ceiling, behind a panel.
Sûreté du Québec Sgt. Sylvain Benjamin, who oversaw the search of the property, led the jury through photos of their other discoveries.
- VIDEO: Richard Bain murder trial hears Metropolis head of security helped tackle gunman
- Fellow stagehand got inked to remember shooting victim Denis Blanchette
Guns and ammunition scattered everywhere
The court heard that police entered the main cabin through an unlocked patio door. Leaning against the wall in a corner, behind some coats and a curtain, investigators found a 12-gauge shotgun — a Fabarm.
A Jean Coutu bag sitting on top of the fridge, for instance, was filled with cartridges.
In the semi-basement, police also found ammunition inside stacks of military-style wooden crates.
Police seized a total of 12 firearms, including a Smith & Wesson revolver, a Remington Magnum with a scope and three CZ tactical rifles.
Cabin had makeshift toilet, DIY shower
The rustic cabin was powered using a generator and police said when they flicked on the power, the TV was tuned to the French news channel LCN.
Benjamin also showed a picture of Bain's bathroom, pointing out the homemade toilet: a chair with a hole in it, fitted with a bucket to catch waste. Benjamin also highlighted how the shower was made, by attaching a hose to a plastic crate.
In the living area, a pile of catfood was found spilled on the floor, next to three full dishes. But the investigator told the jury they only saw one cat while they were there.
Bain is accused of murdering lighting technician Denis Blanchette, who was outside Montreal's Metropolis nightclub the night of the PQ victory party.
In addition to first-degree murder, Bain also faces three counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of arson and possession of an incendiary device.
'A fishing expedition?'
During his cross-examination, defence lawyer Alan Guttman questioned Benjamin about the general warrant used to search the property.
Guttman asked what police were looking for, and Benjamin explained that police didn't know what they were going to find.
"You go and look," he said.
Guttman pressed on, "So it's a fishing expedition?"
"It's an investigation," Benjamin answered.
In his opening argument, the prosecution said it intends to prove the shooting the night of Sept. 4, 2012 was politically motivated.
The defence challenged that idea with a question to the witness on Wednesday.
"With all these detailed searches that you conducted, did you find any relevant documents on politics? On the Parti Québécois? On the Liberal party? Anything to implicate Mr. Bain's involvement in politics?"
Benjamin answered that they did not.
The trial began on June 9 and is expected to take until the end of July.
- Day 9: 'His gun jammed. He could've shot us all,' jury hears
- Day 8: Guns in black SUV were loaded, ready to fire
- Day 7: Metropolis head of security says he helped tackle gunman
- Day 6: Richard Bain murder trial: 'Grace of God, the gun jammed'
- Day 5: Video shows suspect yelling 'the English are waking up!'
- Day 4: 'Thank you, smile away,' surviving victim Dave Courage says to accused Richard Bain
- Day 3: 'I heard a scream, and I saw the blood': Stagehand tells jury he thought it was a joke
- Day 2: Bain upset he couldn't vote on day of PQ election night shooting, court hears
- Day 1: 'The English are waking up': Prosecution aims to prove political motive in Bain trial