Crown wraps up case in Mountie murder

Crown prosecutors wrapped up their case Monday at the trial of Emrah Bulatci, an Edmonton man accused of killing an RCMP officer in the Northwest Territories more than two years ago.

Bulatci, 25, is charged with first-degree murder in the Oct. 6, 2007, shooting death of Const. Christopher Worden, 30, in Hay River, N.W.T.

The 12-member N.W.T. Supreme Court jury in Yellowknife heard Monday from the Crown's final two witnesses, both forensic investigators who examined Worden's body.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Bernard Bannach, who performed the autopsy on Worden, testified that Worden likely died within a minute or two of being shot four times in the early morning hours of Oct. 6.

Bannach said Worden was shot once in the thigh, once in the groin area, once through the chest and into the shoulder, and once in the neck.

The shot to the neck hit Worden's jugular vein, carotid artery and a neck bone surrounding the spinal cord. Bannach testified that the bullet bruised Worden's spinal cord and paralyzed him as a result.

The jury also heard Monday from an RCMP blood stain expert.

Bulatci is expected to testify after the trial resumes on Thursday.

Earlier in the trial, defence lawyers said Bulatci, who was in Hay River to sell drugs, did shoot Worden, but did not intend to kill the officer.