Vandals attack vehicle belonging to defence witness

RCMP are investigating an attack on a vehicle belonging to adefence witness at the trial of five Grand Manan, N.B.,men accused oftorching a house last summer.

Jordan Brown, 22, testified last week in the trial of the five men charged in connection with a riot on the island. During that riot, on July 22, the home of a man some islanders believed was selling crack cocaine was burned to the ground.

Last Friday, Brown told the jury he'd bought crack cocaine from the owner of the torched home, Ronald Ross. Brown said he bought the drug at Ross's house.

Cpl. Ron Smith says Brown's vehicle was vandalized a few days after his court appearance. "The windows were smashed, and some dents to the door and what have you," he said. "Webrought it back to the detachment. We took photographs, and we have an investigation ongoing into that incident."

Smith says RCMP haven't identified any suspects,and so far have not linked the incident to thetrial.

Meanwhile, Crown prosecutor Randy Dipaolo continued his case against the five men in court on Tuesday in St. Andrews. He showed the jury video-taped statements to police from two of the accused men, both of whom are facing arson charges.

Lloyd Bainbridge admitted on tape that hewalked through the woods behind Ross's housecarrying a gas can, and admitted to splashinggasoline on a pile of junk. He denied lighting the fire.

Michael Small also admitted on videotape to being behind Ross's house that night.

AnRCMP officer also testified that in a conversation after the camera was turned off, Smalladmitted to settingthe fire in back of Ross's house.