Forensic expert testifies in trial of slain Coquitlam Mountie

The trial of Nicolas Bellemare, the man accused of killing a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer in Coquitlam two years ago, continued this week in British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster with testimony from a forensic investigator. This case is important as it involves the on-duty death of a police officer, which is automatically considered first-degree murder under the Criminal Code.

Nicolas Bellemare, 27, is faced with a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Constable Rick O’Brien, who was 51 years old. Bellemare is also charged with the attempted murder of a second officer and with recklessly firing a restricted firearm. The events took place on September 22, 2023, when O'Brien and four other officers were executing a search warrant for a drug investigation at a condo in Coquitlam. Constable O’Brien was in full uniform and was the first officer to enter the apartment when he was shot. Two other officers were injured during the incident, and Bellemare was also wounded by gunfire.

On December 1, testimony was heard from a retired police officer from Ontario hired as a forensic investigator, who spoke about laser scanning and the analysis of bullet paths. The judge-only trial, which began on November 3, has also heard from experts in DNA, firearms, and digital evidence. Security camera footage showing Constable O'Brien entering the building in his uniform just before the event was previously shown in court. The prosecution's case is centered on whether Bellemare was aware the individuals were police officers and if the killing was intentional. It has been argued by Bellemare’s defense that he was acting in self-defense and was not aware that police officers were inside the residence. Constable O'Brien, a father of six, had been with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police since 2016. The trial is scheduled to continue until late December.