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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2000 - 27 Durham officer takes stand in police shooting trial From page 25 "Lorenzo was resisting the arrest," Const. Robins told Mr. Black. "I moved in almost behind Const. Hoskin, the door flew open and another male (Rocco) rushed out." Const. Robins told the court that he attempted to block Rocco's path, as he felt the 17-year-old was about to interfere with the arrest of Enzo. By this time Const. Martin and Tony Romagnuolo were involved in a separate fight, a fight that Const. Robins said involved a struggle for con- trol of Martin's gun. "l stopped him (Rocco) from getting (to Enzo and Hoskin)," Const. Robins said, "I raised my arms and grabbed him by the shoul- ders and tried to push him back." Const. Robins described Rocco as "enraged" and said Rocco continually screamed at him to "get the f--k off the property." Then Const. Robins described the sound that changed everything on the frozen lawn that night. "I hear a loud popping noise; it didn't register," Const. Robins said." Then | realized shots had been fired. I didn't know who was doing the shooting." Const. Robins told the court that Rocco's level of rage and strength seemed to increase with the sound of the shots, and he man- aged to shove the officer off balance and head toward Const. Martin. "I got a very quick glimpse of them (Tony and Martin)... like a photo- graph," Const. Robins said. "They were both on the their knees facing each other. Mr. Romagnuolo's torso was bent over Const. Martin and he (Tony) had his arms under and over * 3M Scotchguard e Broadloom e Upholstery £"e Loose Rugs 852-6711 o Dr. J. Cottrell «Dr. J. Hardy «Dr. L. Gideon * Dr. C. Banfield * Dr. L. Poranganel Dr. H. Dewar * Dr. T. King (Orthodontist) e Df. T. Mcintyre (Periodontist) --Today's Smile... -- Opportunity always knocks at the least opportune times. Dental Care For The Entire Family Evening & Saturday Appointments Available Please Call 985-8451 Visit our website: www.iluvmydentist.com 238 Queen Street, hits Port Martin's neck. It appeared to me to be a choke hold." Const. Robins said that at that point he made one of the most difficult deci- sions of his police career. "Rocco is now running towards (the fight) and at that time 1 drew my weapon, ordered him to stop," Const. Robins testi- fied. When the order was refused Robins fired, apparently missing Rocco. "I shouted louder for him to stop... | fired a second round; he stumbled and uttered a sound as if in pain... he went to the ground," the officer testi- fied. Const. Robins said that as he fired his second shot, he heard two more gun shots. When he turned his attention back to the strug- gle between Tony Romagnuolo and Const. Martin, the struggle had ended, he said. "Const. Martin was on his knees, upright," Const. NORTH RIDGE EXCAVATING 8g Excavating - Grading - Site Work = Sand - Gravel - Top Soil - Triple Mix = Septic Systems * SAME PLACE SERVICE! Port Perry caLL... (905) 985-8469 0) PIZZA, SUBS oc SWINGS 80 Werter Sit, [Port [Peimy 985-8448 Robins said. "Mr. Romagnuolo was on the ground." Mr. Black asked the offi- cer why he had felt it neces- sary to fire his gun. "What was your point in firing your weapon?" he asked. "It was my belief that Const. Martin had been -stripped of his weapon, had been shot," Const. Robins replied. "The hold that Mr. Romagnuolo had on him (Martin) appeared to be a choke hold. Rocco, | believed, was moving to that area where a firearm was available. "Had he (Rocco) gained control (of the gun) he would have used it against Const. Martin or one of the other officers," he said. When asked if any other use-of-force options were open to him, Const. Robins replied: "I had to stop him" from joining the struggle between the two men. "I had to preserve Const. Martin's life." Const. Martin testified earlier about being wound- ed with his own gun when it was forced into his face and fired. The testimony is in sharp contrast to earlier tes- timony by Rocco Romagnuolo, who main- tains Const. Robins threw Const. Al Robins (left) arrives at court in photo taken earlier in the proceedings. him to the ground and shot him as he tried to rise. Mr. Black asked Const.: Robins if he had attempted to lend aid to the wounded: Rocco after the shooting. He told of trying to keep: Rocco still and asking: Rocco's mother, Linda. Romagnuolo, to get blan- kets. He said she replied to: him: "What the f--k for? You: just shot my husband." Eventually blankets were brought out by Linda Romagnuolo and youngest son Michael. : Const. Robins said that after e shooting he was nauseous, and could not walk unassisted. He has required treatment for post-traumatic stress syn-| drome, and told of family} problems brought on by} the incident. Const. Robins'} wife and parents were in; court to hear his testimony, along with a large contin-} gent of fellow 26 Division} officers. ! The defense expects to! conclude this week. After: closing arguments from! both sides, Justice Archie Campbell's charge to the: jury is expected late next' week, after which the four! women and eight men of: the jury will begin delibera-| tions. { 3 Ban date Ae EI TR naeati P---- TT I -- -------- | Ne in n Jo > ~ "