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Eric Czapnik Death: Kevin Gregson, Former RCMP Officer, Guilty Of Stabbing Ottawa Police Officer To Death

Kevin Gregson

First Posted: 03/13/2012 9:27 pm Updated: 03/13/2012 11:38 pm

OTTAWA - A former Mountie has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing of Ottawa police officer Eric Czapnik.

Kevin Gregson, 45, was also found guilty of robbery.

A jury of eight men and four women delivered the verdict Tuesday night following nine hours of deliberations.

The Crown had argued Gregson meant to kill Czapnik, 51, as they struggled early on the morning of Dec. 29, 2009 outside the emergency room at the Civic Hospital.

But Gregson, a former Saskatchewan RCMP officer, said he just wanted to grab the officer's gun so he could return home and kill himself.

During his testimony, Gregson told the court of his troubled personal and professional life. He was dismissed from the RCMP for disciplinary and behavioural problems.

Matt Skof, president of the Ottawa Police Association, released a statement late Tuesday night, saying members of the association were pleased with the verdict.

"The murder of Eric Czapnik by Kevin Gregson was heart breaking for Eric's family and his extended police family as well," Skof said in the statement.

"While this conviction does not bring Eric back, it is another step in the healing process for all of us. Eric will live on in our hearts and minds; we will never forget him," Skof said.

First-degree murder carries an automatic penalty of life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

(CFRA)

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OTTAWA - A former Mountie has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing of Ottawa police officer Eric Czapnik.Kevin Gregson, 45, remained silent as he was also found guilty of robbery.
OTTAWA - A former Mountie has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing of Ottawa police officer Eric Czapnik.Kevin Gregson, 45, remained silent as he was also found guilty of robbery.
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Searchgirl791
6 Fans
11:15 AM on 03/14/2012
I'm not defending what he did. I'm glad he was convicted. But was he "damaged when he joined the RCMP or did he become damaged doing the job? The RCMP has a long way to go in dealing with their members who develop mental health problems. Those that want help have a hard enough time, let alone those who are not cooperative and refuse help. Not sure of his circumstances, but it's a sad outcome for so many.
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Rayma Allaby
82 Fans
10:47 AM on 03/14/2012
i guess the ole defense i killed him but i didn't murder him didn't work...couldn't believe the defense when i first read it.
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sweetnurse
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10:25 AM on 03/14/2012
Thank God for a 1st degree murder conviction. What a narcissistic, antisocial, psychopath, egotistical, immature individual. I'm sure there are more words than that; many too inappropriate to type here. He actually thought people were going to believe his made up stories... I feel the most for his wife and little boy... so sad. I heard the victim impact statements - absolutely heartbreaking. And poor Eric Czapnik never stood a chance :( Gregson even had the audacity during questioning by the lead detective to say that 'the safety latch on the top of the gun holster isn't the one he's familiar with -otherwise Eric would still be alive??? - he rationalizes this by saying that "if the latch worked then Eric would have shot him and it would all be over." and on and on his B.s. goes but at least he's in jail for a long time -right where he belongs.
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oneforthe rail
3 Fans
11:58 PM on 03/13/2012
rcmp......to serve and protect !
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