Markel Jason Downey was in court Tuesday, facing new weapons-related charges after an incident on Canada Day.
However, Ashley MacLean’s family members and supporters were there to face him. A confrontation began in the courtroom gallery and continued into the lobby.
“We just wanted to go make sure he didn’t get out,” says MacLean’s father. “But, he was smiling. I couldn’t even imagine. How would you smile?”
Downey, 19, has now been charged after allegedly mishandling a firearm on Canada Day. After approaching officers working at the Alderney Landing concert, he was transported to hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.
It’s believed Downey had a firearm tucked in his waistband, and accidentally shot himself in the leg.
“Charges could not be laid before yesterday because we were waiting on forensics to be done and the result came back last week,” says Cst. Pierre Bourdages.
Downey last appeared in court on December 2, 2014 to face attempted murder charges in a Cole Harbour shooting, where Ashley MacLean was shot and paralyzed from the chest down.
All MacLean’s family can do now is wait and focus on their daughter’s recovery.
“The other night we were at the hospital and we heard her say first words that weren’t lipped,” says MacLean’s father.
“It was nice to hear her.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl.
