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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday August 20, 2008 - 3 Police feared senior would harm himself Continued from page 1 During the previous day's testimony Edna Morgan, 82, described how her husband Gerry, 79, who had been dealing with Parkinson's disease, got up in the middle of the night and began chopping apples with two large butcher knives. When her husband did not respond to her, a concerned Edna called the medical service ConnectCare, which called 911 when told weapons were involved. Repta and the other members of the tactical unit heard about the disturbance third hand after EMS relayed the call to police, telling them that a woman had called from the apartment screaming for help, that her husband had attacked her and that she had locked herself in the back bedroom. Upon arrival, the tactical unit went up to the apartment where they encountered Edna, who told them her husband had not attacked her, but was armed with two knives and acting strangely. What is known from this point on is that members of the Halton Police tactical team, including Repta, entered the apartment where they confronted Gerry. An ARWEN rubber bullet was fired, which penetrated Gerry's upper arm right to the bone. Seconds later a TASER was fired, which hit Gerry, causing him to fall to the ground. After being taken into police custody, but not charged, Gerry was transported to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his arm injury and released. However, Gerry was readmitted to the hospital a short time later where he remained until his death on May 4, 2007. The Special Investigations Unit, a civilian agency that investigations injuries and deaths where police are involved, found no evidence to link Gerry's death to the Nov. 25, incident, but found sufficient grounds to charge three of the officers involved with assault. Constables Matthew Kohler, Joe Davis and Richard Dodds have each been charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and unlawfully causing bodily harm. Kohler also faces one additional charge of assault with a weapon. Repta was the only officer involved in the apprehension not charged. On Tuesday he told the court what took place from his perspective. Repta, clad in the black vest and dark blue uniform of the tactical unit, testified that upon his arrival at the Marine Drive condominium he and the other members of the tactical unit went to the sixth floor where they positioned themselves outside Gerry's apartment. Repta noted that as he made his way to the apartment he saw Edna evacuated from the area. He said the members of the tactical team were aware that Morgan was suffering from mental health issues. Armed with a ballistic shield and a pistol, Repta said, he took up a position at the apartment doorway where they attempted to convince Morgan to come out. "I was changing tactics. Sometimes I'd talk softly and sometimes I'd talk angrily and yell for him to come out," said Repta. "That's not part of training, just common sense." Morgan did not respond to Repta or anyone else. Soon after, Repta and Kohler entered the apartment to get an idea of what was going on. With his shield in front of him and Kohler behind, Repta crept towards the kitchen where he was able to see Morgan through a slat in the door. "He was in a white shirt and what appeared to be his underwear swinging the knives in front of him, sometimes one at a time, sometimes both at once. Just swatting them through the air, not angrily, but with force," said Repta. "Then he would turn to his side and bang the handles against an object, I believe it to have been the kitchen table." Repta said Morgan took a step towards him at one point, but described the movement as wandering and not so much a reaction to his presents. During Monday's testimony Edna noted that her husband had begun a new medication to treat his Parkinson's disease and had been reacting badly to it. Having seen Morgan in this state, Repta and Kohler backed up and returned to the threshold of the apartment where the team discussed what actions should be taken. "We discussed the ARWEN and the TASER and if it was appropriate for use on an elderly male and we weighed that against him having two knives," said Repta. Morgan's mental state was also discussed -- in particular how he seemed to have increased strength and agility for and man of 79, and how he did not seem able to hear anyone. In testimony given earlier in the day, Constable Leon Miklos, who was serving as an Acting Sergeant on Nov. 25, 2006, noted that police were faced with two options. The first option involved immediate apprehension, while the second option involved officers containing Morgan to see if he would snap out of it. Miklos said he believed there was an immediate need to apprehend Morgan, so he made the decision to have the tactical team enter. "I felt that because he had two knives on the sixth floor waiting would not have been responsible," said Miklos. "You were concerned that he would turn the knives on himself," questioned Leitch. "Absolutely," Miklos answered. With that Repta, Dodds, Davis, and Kohler entered the apartment with all men moving single file with Repta and his shield in front. Repta said he was shouting commands for Morgan to drop the knives as he again crept towards the kitchen where he again encountered Morgan. "He was still swinging the knives and I heard him mumbling, repeating his own name," said Repta. The constable was challenged by Leitch about a number of the guidelines the Halton Police use to resolve situations involving mentally disturbed individuals. "Did you call Control to get more information about Parkinson's before you went in," said Leitch. "I did not," responded Repta. Leitch also took issue with police not consulting Morgan's family or caregivers, as per Halton Police guidelines, to find out the best course of action to bring him under control. Repta will return to the stand today (Wednesday), when the trial resumes. WIN A FREE TRIP* CLEARFACE-BCDV36CF * with purchase of any fireplace for a chance to win * See dealer for details OFFER GOOD UNTIL END OF AUGUST "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066 THE OXFORD DIFFERENCE Local educator says teaching three-year-olds to read is key to success in school Oakville ­ Local learning expert Nicole Sutton says teaching your three-year-old to read may hold the key to preparing him or her for a successful lifetime of learning at school. 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