The defence lawyer representing an RCMP corporal on trial for a fatal crash in 2008, argued in court Wednesday that addiction is a disease.
Benjamin "Monty" Robinson, 41, is charged with obstructing justice in connection with the incident that killed 21-year-old motorcyclist Orion Hutchinson.
Robinson is best known as one of four officers who Tasered Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver airport in October 2007. Dziekanski died at the scene.
The crash involving Hutchinson took place a year later. On Oct. 25, 2008, Robinson took two of his kids to a Halloween party at a friend's house in Delta. He testified he drank about five beers over four hours.
"Yes, I did," Robinson said. Robinson said he had no concerns about his drinking and is confident his blood-alcohol reading was not over the legal limit.
Robinson left for home with his children around 10 p.m. At the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Gilchrist Drive, Robinson made a left turn and collided with Hutchinson.
Hutchinson was thrown from his motor-cycle and died at the scene.
After the crash, Robinson gave his driver's licence to a bystander and walked the kids home. He didn't try to help Hutchinson.
After settling his kids at home, Robinson poured himself some vodka.
Defence lawyer David Crossin told the court that most people wouldn’t have left the scene if they were in Robinson’s shoes. He said this was exactly what someone like Robinson would do, because at the time of the crash, he was a several alcoholic.
Crossin added, “The myth of addiction is that it’s ultimately but choice. But it’s not.”
Crown theorizes that Robinson’s return home was a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice. They argued that Robinson, as an RCMP officer, had specialized training and knowledge about drunk driving cases.
Both lawyers asked Robinson about events in his life that resulted in his increased drinking, including the Dziekanski incident.
The Tasering, followed by the release of a video documenting it, caused nightmares, terrors, sweats, nausea and flashbacks.
"It's like reliving a critical incident all over again," Robinson said. "I drank more to dull the pain."
He said people have preconceived notions about him because of the near-constant media attention and "negative spin."
"Five years of being under intense media and public scrutiny is trying," Robinson said.
Closing arguments in the trial wrapped today and the judge is expected to hand down the decision on March 23.
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