Adam Colligan.
A drug dealer who attempted to strong-arm another drug supplier into purchasing drugs and shot him in a struggle was sentenced Friday to seven years in jail.
Adam 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.
A jury found Colligan guilty of aggravated assault, unlawfully discharging a firearm and using a firearm for extortion.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Dev Dley said Colligan’s crime was a planned and violent invasion of Powell’s home.
“Mr. Colligan had a plan he would be Mr. Powell’s marijuana supplier . . . Mr. Colligan planned and was prepared to use violence to carry out that plan.”
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.
The Crown asked for a sentence of between six and eight years, while defence argued for five years in jail. The minimum sentence is four years. Colligan has a prior record for two violent offences.
During sentencing, prosecutor Adrienne Murphy asked Dley to consider Colligan’s gang linkage.
Dley said that while Colligan he was “probably” affiliated with a criminal gang, it was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt and therefore could not be considered.
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