KENNETH KNUTSON
Charges against the convicted killer accused of shooting a Kamloops RCMP corporal earlier this month have been upgraded to attempted murder with a restricted weapon/for a criminal organization.
Kenneth Knutson made a brief appearance in Kamloops provincial court on Thursday, Dec. 18 — his first court appearance since the Dec. 3 shooting of RCMP Cpl. Jean-Rene Michaud.
Appearing by video from Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, Knutson, wearing a red prison sweatshirt with his hands cuffed behind his back, didn’t say much in court.
He was asked by a justice of the peace if he had a lawyer.
“No, I don’t,” Knutson replied. “If I could put it over for a month.”
Michaud was shot during a traffic stop in Batchelor Heights at about 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 3. Knutson was arrested after an intense manhunt that lasted nearly 13 hours.
The 36-year-old has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for violence against police officers. In addition, he was convicted of criminal negligence causing death after an associate of his was shot to death in 2002.
In the past, justice officials have linked Knutson to Lower Mainland gangs the Red Scorpions and the Independent Soldiers, as well as the notorious Bacon Brothers.
He is from the Lower Mainland and it’s not known how long he had been in Kamloops prior to his arrest.
Court records show Knutson’s charges were amended on Dec. 15. In addition to the criminal-organization addition, prosecutors added a charge of using a restricted firearm for a criminal organization, unlawfully discharging a firearm and aggravated assault.
Discharging a firearm with intent to wound is not listed among the new charges and the original charge of possessing a firearm contrary to a court order has been moved to a separate information.
Michaud remains in stable condition at Royal Inland Hospital.
Knutson is due back in Kamloops provincial court on Jan. 15.
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