A B.C. Supreme Court jury rejected a man’s story that he wound up on his neighbour’s property with a loaded rifle because he was chasing a bear, finding him guilty of shooting his neighbour.
A jury found Paul Tregear, 58, guilty Wednesday of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm with intent to wound, maim or disfigure, pointing a firearm at a person and possessing a firearm without a licence after the May 7, 2022, shooting in Sooke that left 55-year-old Anthony Nelson with a bullet in his torso.
The verdict followed a two-and-a-half week trial in which the Crown argued Tregear shot Nelson after a series of conflicts between their families.
Nelson testified at trial that he was at his camping trailer next to his home when he saw a man with a rifle leaning against the side of his house. He described a struggle with the man for the gun, during which he was shot in the stomach before punching Tregear repeatedly and cracking the rifle across his face.
Tregear took the stand to tell the jury he was only on Nelson’s property with a loaded rifle to warn Nelson about a bear sighting. He said he had scared a bear off his property and wanted to let Nelson know the animal might be on his property, but Nelson attacked him before he could explain.
Tregear had lived next to the Nelsons for about 15 years. While they initially had a friendly relationship, it had deteriorated over the years, the jury heard.
The final interaction between Nelson and Tregear prior to the shooting was a phone call in early 2021, in which Tregear accused Nelson of stealing his wood and moving their property line, Nelson testified at trial. Nelson told Tregear never to call his home again.
The jury heard about several other conflicts between Tregear and his partner and the Nelson family, including incidents that led to police being called.
Police came to the Nelson home after complaints from Tregear’s partner, Cindy Hehn, that Nelson was trying to run her and her dog off the road during her early-morning walks on a rural, winding road.
Hehn also called the fire chief to complain that a planned bonfire was too close to Tregear’s property.
The jury deliberated for about six hours on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning before delivering the verdict.
While deliberating, the jury asked to see the rifle involved.
Tregear is not currently in custody and a sentencing date has not been set.
He is under conditions, including that he is not allowed to be in Sooke. He has since moved from his rural Sooke property.
Tregear also faces a civil suit from the Nelsons.
