SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF RIDGEWAY
CITATION: State of Ridgeway v. Elijah8568,
RSC-CM-905
DATE OF JUDGEMENT:
2023-04-09
BETWEEN:
State of Ridgeway
Plaintiff
and
Elijah8568
Accused
REASONS FOR JUDGEMENT
OF THE
HONOURABLE JUDGE KOALA4IIFE
I. Introduction
[1] Mr. Elijah is charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of
second-degree murder. All three charges arise from a string of altercations alleged to
have occurred on November 14, 2022.
[2] I could not clearly understand the defence theory for the majority of trial,
perhaps or perhaps not because they waived their opening statement. Nevertheless, in
summation, the accused argued that the government’s witness is “not credible at all”,
citing what purports to be a discrepancy between the witness’ testimony and about two
seconds of video footage with respect to when the witness applied the brakes of his car.
Although credibility and reliability are at times intertwined, it is more correct to
describe the accused’s concerns with the witness as a concern of reliability, not
credibility.
[3] The government declined to respond to the credibility issue and insisted the
case had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
II. The Facts
[4] Some_Dudd was the only witness called during trial. Mr. Dudd, during all key
events concerned in the Information, was at or in the vicinity of the Palmer car
dealership. All the factual findings I make are made on the basis of the testimony of
Mr. Dudd.
[5] Mr. Dudd described the accused taking out a firearm from his van and running
towards his car that was headed to the exit of the car dealership.
[6] Mr. Dudd said the accused leaped onto his car and then opened fire, killing Mr
Dudd.
[7] In a separate incident, after Mr. Dudd returned to the same car dealership, he
saw the accused distributing ammunition and firearms to other individuals, at which
point he said a uniformed officer of the Palmer Police Department ab_bae tried to
confront the accused.
[8] Then, Mr. Dubb saw the accused fire upon the officer, killing her.
[9] Moments later, Mr. Dubb saw the a accused open fire upon himself, killing him.
[10] In both incidents and all three instances, the accused’s aim appeared to be to
cause the victims’ deaths.
III. The Law
[11] In my assessment, there is no real reason to be concerned with the reliability of
the witness; any discrepancies or inaccuracies were trifles and moreover, the witness’
recollection of key events is accurate and corroborated by the video evidence.
Considering the whole of the testimony of Mr. Dudd, I find it reliable and believable.
[12] The accused presented no evidence that would leave me in doubt of the
accused’s guilt.
IV. Conclusion
[13] I find the accused guilty on one count of first-degree murder and two counts of
second-degree murder.
[14] Counsel for the government and counsel for the accused are directed to file pre-
sentencing reports and any other filings for the purposes of sentencing on or before
April 13, 2023.
Dated at the City of Palmer, in the State of Ridgeway on April 9, 2023.
“koala4Iife”
Judge koala4Iife
Counsel for the plaintiff State of Ridgeway: andysofun, Ridgeway.
Counsel for the accused Elijah8568: MatthewSandringham, Ridgeway.
