Nerland denies racist links, insists shooting an accident

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Carney Nerland testified for two days before an in-camera session of an inquiry into the shooting death of Cree trapper Leo LaChance.

Nerland is serving a four-year manslaughter sentence for shooting LaChance at Nerland's Prince Albert gun and pawn shop Jan. 28, 1991.

Facing a charge of contempt for an earlier refusal to testify before the three-member commission during public hearings, Nerland began his testimony April 5 at Saskatchewan Penitentiary at Prince Albert.

Commissioner Ted Hughes said the commission agreed to the in-camera session in an attempt to get to the bottom of the inquiry. He gave his assurance the full testimony would be made public. The public viewed more than nine hours of tape at St. Alban's Cathedral April 7-8.

Nerland said he does not recall LaChance entering, being in or leaving his store that night. However, he admits shooting the 48-year-old man "accidentally, completely without intent."

He denies being a white supremacist and says he was only the leader of the Saskatchewan branch of the Church of Jesus Christ Aryan Nations "on the surface.

He told the commission, lawyers of interested parties and the LaChance family he has notespoused the beliefs of the white supremacist Aryan Nations and Ku Klux Klan since 1985, when he returned from the southern United States.

He does not remember firing two shots into the floor as LaChance talked to Nerland's friends in the gun shop, he said. Firing of "dirty" ammunition the previous day was the reason he did not see the shell in the chamber seconds before firing the fatal shot at LaChance as the departing man closed the door behind himself. Nerland said he only pulled the trigger to close the bolt on the semi-automatic rifle. Racism was not a motive in the shooting, Nerland said.

Prince Albert police say Nerland is now attempting to draw the focus of the inquiry away from his conduct and responsibility by accusing city police of racism.

"It is curious to note he can remember exact words spoken by our officers several years ago, but he can remember absolutely no details of the events that led to his incarceration," police chief Greg McCullagh said.

Nerland described six police officers who purchased firearms from him, detailing conversations he had with each, illustrating alleged racism by each officer.

Summations by lawyers representing the LaChance family and the Prince Albert Tribal Council, police, Crown prosecutors, judges, the City of Prince Albert and Nerland will be presented after testimony by those officers who wish to respond to Nerland's allegations.

The next hearings are tentatively set for May 8-10.