The man accused of attacking a police officer, disarming him and then trying to kill him by shooting him will not testify to give his version of the facts, the court was told shortly after the Crown finished presenting its case .
• Also read: He was disarmed and shot: “They were shots to kill,” says the police officer
• Also read: Attempted murder of a police officer: “There was a shot!” said Mr. Camara to the emergency number 911
• Also read: Montreal police officer disarmed and attacked: The defendant is said to have planned everything three days in advance
Ali Ngarukiye, 23, chose to remain silent during his trial. He will not present a defence, his lawyers argued Monday at the Montreal courthouse.
Therefore, the trial of the man accused of attempted murder of police officer Sanjay Vig on January 28, 2021 will enter the plea phase next week. The Crown should then summarize the evidence it has presented to the jury since September. And according to them, it is clear that Ngarukiye had attacked the police officer who was conducting surveillance along Highway 40 in Montreal.
That day, police officer Vig caught motorist Mamadi Camara using his cell phone while driving. But at some point the agent was attacked from behind by someone armed with a metal rod.
Photos submitted at the trial of Ali Ngarukiye, accused of the attempted murder of police officer Sanjay Vig on January 28, 2021. The photos show the place where the police officer was attacked with an iron rod. He was then disarmed and shot. Courtesy (Photo provided by Court) Courtesy (Photo provided by Court)
“These were fatal blows,” Agent Vig testified during the trial. I was in defense mode and felt the blood rush to my head. It was very, very, very fast.”
Statement of police officer Sanjay Vig at the trial of Ali Ngarukiye in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Thursday, September 28, 2023. In this photo: SPVM Police Officer Sanjay Vig MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
A violent confrontation ensued in which the police officer said he was disarmed before being shot as he fled.
“I thought he was going to execute me,” Agent Vig continued, adding that he found the strength to stand while thinking about his children.
Photos submitted on January 28, 2021 at the trial of Ali Ngarukiye, accused of attempted murder of police officer Sanjay Vig. The photos show the place where the police officer was attacked with an iron rod. He was then disarmed and shot. Courtesy (Photo provided by Court)
Intentionally?
At this point, the agent was certain that he had been attacked by the motorist Mamadi Camara. The latter was arrested, but after several days in custody he was exonerated.
Mamadi Camara during her testimony in the trial of Ali Ngarukiye. Montreal, September 11, 2023. PIERRE-PAUL POULIN/LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL/AGENCY QMI Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / Agence QMI
For his part, Ngarukiye was arrested following the police investigation. And according to the prosecution, he had prepared his attack three days earlier.
“He had stolen cars three days earlier, they had been strategically placed to escape to Ontario,” assured Me Jasmine Guillaume of the Crown at the opening of the trial.
The prosecutor also reported the defendant’s fingerprints found in the rearview mirror of a car, as well as his DNA on a pair of glasses found near the crime scene.
“The police officer’s blood was also found on his trousers [appartenant à l’accusé]», added the prosecutor, admitting that the evidence was “circumstantial”.