Unidentified witness says RCMP officer encouraged Grand Manan vigilantes

Asurprise Crown witness offered testimony that supported the defence on the last day of thetrial of Ronald Ross, the man at the centre of last summer's riot on Grand Manan Island.

The former Grand Manan man is accused of illegal possession of afirearm and uttering threats against his neighbours in the weeks leading up toJuly 22, 2006, which culminated in the burning of Ross's house. Ross's lawyer says those accusations are made up by people who were out to get the suspected drug dealer.

The Crown'sunidentified witness agreed Wednesday: Ross was a target, and he was right to be afraid, because, the man said, RCMP had encouraged island residents to take matters into their own hands.

The witness testified that Grand Manan officer Terry Pomeroy had told island residents, including himself, that local citizens should take action against Ross themselves, because police didn't have enough evidence to.

He said the officer recommended they ask Ross to leave the island, and if that didn't work, to rough him up, break his arms and legs, and, as a last resort, burn him out of his house.

The witness said his wife had heard the entire conversation with the RCMP officer, a claim his wife later confirmed to CBC News.

Grand Manan detachment officer Cpl. Ron Smith heard the man's accusations in court, but had no comment on them. However, an RCMP spokesman in Fredericton said the accusations would be looked into.

Defence lawyer Joel Hansen said he was disturbed by what he heard.

Judge William Grant promised a verdict in the case within two weeks.

Ross left court telling reporters he felt good about how his trial had gone and his chances for acquittal. He hinted if he's acquitted he may file civil suits against those who ran him off the island.