A fraud trial in Charlottetown wrapped up on Friday with the lawyer for the accused attempting to discredit a key Crown witness.
Edward Wenger, the business project manager of Meteor CreekResources, is charged with conspiracy to commit fraud in connection withnatural gas exploration carried out by the company in eastern P.E.I. in2001.
Wenger — who originally pleaded guilty to the charge, then changedhis plea to not guilty — is alleged to have misled the public about theprospects for the company's success to promote investment and boost thevalue of Meteor Creek's shares.
Earlier this week, David Fisher, the former vice-president of MeteorCreek Resources, testified he and Wenger used a propane tank to create aflare and made it seem as though there had been a natural gas find inBear River.
Fisher was also charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, but theCrown dropped that charge in exchange for Fisher's testimony against hisformer colleague.
Paul Mullin, Wenger's lawyer, accused Fisher on Friday of lying to avoid going to jail.
Mullin argued that if Fisher was feeling badly about his role increating the flare, the right thing to do would have been to "man up,"plead guilty and accept his punishment.
Mullin said when police started investigating the circumstancesbehind the propane flare, Fisher originally claimed to be Wenger'spuppet — an innocent bystander in the case.
The defence lawyer said once Fisher was charged, he had access tostatements from other witnesses who said they thought Fisher was behindthe misleading flare.
Mullin suggested that when Fisher saw the weight of that evidenceagainst him, he decided to save himself and point the finger at Wenger.
Fisher testified that what he had told the court about Wenger's involvement was the truth.
The defence announced Friday they would not call any evidence, meaning Wenger will not testify.
The trial continues Monday with closing arguments.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2010/11/12/pei-meteor-creek-fisher-mullin-584.html#ixzz15Mjdwrg4