A defence lawyer urged a B.C. Supreme Court justice to ignore allegations his client has gang connections.
Crown and defence lawyers presented their sentencing positions for Adam Colligan, who was found guilty in March on six charges, including aggravated assault and extortion with a firearm.
Prosecutor Adrienne Murphy argued Colligan should serve five to six years in jail for the events in May 2013. The minimum for the firearms-related offences is four years.
Defence lawyer Dale Melville told Justice Dev Dley his client should be sentenced to a five-year term in prison.
Dley is set to render his decision on July 24.
Colligan, 28, was charged after Al Powell, an admitted marijuana dealer and advocate for the legalization of cannabis, was shot in the bathroom of his North Shore home in 2013.
Prior to the shooting, Colligan had attempted to strong-arm Powell into buying his marijuana supply directly from him and his associates who, court heard, were affiliated with the Independent Soldiers gang.
Powell attempted to wrestle the gun away from his attackers and a shot was fired, striking him in the knee.
During the trial, court heard evidence that Powell was pistol-whipped and shown Independent Soldiers paraphernalia. There was also suggestion Powell said his supplier was the Hells Angels.
But, Melville urged Dley to reject any suggestion Colligan was affiliated with a criminal organization.
“There was no evidence toward [a finding of] criminal organization,” he said. “There was no expert evidence.”
Taking the stand in his own defence, Colligan claimed to have spent May 11, 2013, with his girlfriend, eating appetizers and watching romantic movies.
The jury rejected that evidence and found him guilty as charged.
Melville said Colligan has a minor criminal record and is a candidate for rehabilitation with strong family support. However, a pre-sentence report stated RCMP have said his family has a criminal background.
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