Firearms expert says rifle used in Fredericton shooting designed 'to kill,' mostly used for hunting

A firearms expert testified the Simonov SKS rifle found in Matthew Raymond's Fredericton apartment was an unrestricted firearm, and so was the shotgun found on his couch.

Jacques Rioux testified Wednesday in the third week of the quadruple murder trial of Matthew Raymond.

Raymond, 50, is accused of fatally shooting Fredericton police constables Robb Costello and Sara Burns, and civilians Donnie Robichaud and Bobbie Lee Wright at 237 Brookside Dr. on Aug. 10, 2018.

He has admitted to shooting the four city residents, but his defence lawyers are arguing he was not criminally responsible for the act because of a mental illness.

Rioux testified the Simonov is a Russian "unrestricted" rifle.

He said the Simonov is "designed to basically kill. It's a firearm." 

However, he said it's now typically used for hunting.

According to the RCMP website, "most common long guns are non-restricted" and are legal to own in Canada. The website says anyone who's 18 years or older and has a Possession and Acquisition Licence can own a non-restricted firearm, and won't have to register it.

A photo of Raymond's Possession and Acquisition Licence was entered into evidence earlier in the trial. Its expiry date was Apr. 2, 2023.

He described it as a semi-automatic rifle. With each pull of the trigger, the rifle will use a portion of the gas to eject used cartridges to the right and load the next cartridge, he said.

Rioux said it's "semi-automatic" and not fully automatic because you have to pull the trigger each time.

Rioux linked ammunition found in Raymond's apartments to ones found in the murder scene - a parking lot behind Building D. He also testified the bullet holes on Wright's silver Ford Fiesta were fired from Raymond's storage room window which overlooks the parking lot.

He also testified bullets shot through the neighbouring buildings all came from Raymond's living room. Court previously heard from two people living in different apartments describing having to duck and take cover as they heard bangs and their windows broke.

Rioux said one of the bullets went through an apartment and ended up in a sugar bag in another apartment across the hallway. He said the bullet went through a window screen, a door, multiple walls and bedrooms, and into a bag of sugar in a cupboard.

Holes found in Raymond's living room picture window were caused by bullets coming from the inside, he said, as well as a bullet and tear gas canisters coming from the outside.

Rioux was the only witness called by the Crown on Wednesday. After the lunch break, one juror was reclined in his seat with  his eyes closed. Justice Larry Landry gave the jury some instructions after a short break, asking them to stay alert and keep all their attention on the evidence and testimony.

"It was brought to my attention that some of you may have shown signs of fatigue or tiredness," he said. "Maybe a coffee will help, or more breaks in the afternoon."

He asked the jury to let him know if they have any concerns.

The jury has heard from 21 witnesses so far. This includes the Fredericton Police Force constable who shot Raymond and ended the standoff, and eight residents of the apartment complex, some of whom had to take cover when shots were fired through their windows.

On Tuesday, two RCMP forensic identification unit members testified about gathering photographic and physical evidence from the crime scene. Cpl. Francis Coutu testified he took pictures of bullet damage from three apartments on the complex, in addition to Raymond's. 

Police also found newspapers with "serpent" and "hoax" written on them , alongside swimsuit magazines with "666" written on them in large black script.

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