Defense Finally Up at Montague Trial

The Bruce Montague Criminal Trial continues in Kenora Court and the
Crown has agreed to withdraw 6 of 53 charges facing the former Dryden-area
Gunsmith.
Defense Lawyer Doug Christie gave his opening statements Monday
stating Montague legally acquired all of the firearms in his home.
Montague took the stand in his own defense and confirmed that all of
the firearms in his possession were acquired when he had a firearms
acquisition certificate.
That certificate expired in November of 2003 and Montague told the
court that he didn’t purchase any new firearms after that time.
Montague also defended his right to keep firearms at the ready.
He told Court he needed to scare off wolves and other predators
in the middle of the night and that’s why a loaded firearm was kept in his
bedroom.
Another charge relates to sticks of dynamite found in a freezer in
the Montague home.
He believes the best way to store the explosive device is in a cool
location and also produced a letter from the Ministry of Transportation
acknowledging his work blowing up beaver dams.
The Judge, Crown and Defense have yet to decide if the letter will be
admissible.