The gated community where Kalmring was killed still shows Wiens name on the outer gate. (edited)

(SHANNON QUESNEL / iNFOnews.ca)

OFFICER DESCRIBES BLOOD-STAINED KNIFE IN HANDS OF VICTIM

With new details coming to light on the murder of Lynn Kalmring, the question still remains what happened on the very early morning of August 16, 2011 that led to the fatal shooting.

A number of police and family witnesses have already testified at the Kelowna Supreme Court in the jury trial for former Mountie Keith Gregory Wiens. He is charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of his common-law partner Lynn Kalmring while the two were living together in their Penticton home.

A shaken phone call from the victim minutes before her death, a kitchen counter with a bottle of vodka, pile of American cash and engagement ring, and the bloodstained knife found in the victim's hand are all pieces of a puzzle still to be put together.

A twelve member jury will have to decide whether Wiens is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Crown lawyer Colin Forsyth says to make the decision the jury must determine whether they believe Kalmring was actually holding the knife when she sustained the fatal gunshot. Forsyth will argue that Wiens caused the death with intention and without justification. 

Graphic photos of the crime scene were passed to jury members today and described to the court by forensic expert Cpl. France Burke.

The photos depicted blood stains covering the walls, bed and floor of the master bedroom as well as the victim's body found lying in a pool of blood from a gunshot to the head. Photos also show a blood-stained knife in the victim's left land with the blade angled downward.

Burke said during the investigation she removed the knife resting in the victim's hand without any resistance other than some sticking.

“It was easily removed, there was hardly any resistance to it,” she said. “I didn't have to use any force.”

Burke said the palm of the victim's hand was purple in colour with blood stains on the fingers, handle and blade of the knife. An expert will testify to explain how those blood stains were made.

A damp towel was found on the bed along with a blood-stained robe, a nine-millimeter handgun and holster. Lying on the floor near the head of the victim was a small wooden box. When opened by police it was found to contain personal items and photos.

Police officers who first arrived on scene also testified in court, explaining how they hopped the fence to enter the gated community and how they tested the victim's pulse once inside the residence. Cpl. Donald Wrigglesworth and Const. Michael Nelson each described how they removed a small dog hiding under the bed near the victim to secure the scene.

Wiens was arrested earlier that morning at 12:37 a.m. shortly after reporting himself to police. “I just shot my wife,” he said in the 911 phone call which was played in court last week.

Const. Cody Glasper told the court how Wiens emerged from the house dressed only in jeans and remained calm and cooperative when he was handcuffed and taken into custody at the Penticton RCMP detachment. Glasper noted the smell of alcohol on Wiens during his arrest.

Prior to the incident leading up to Wiens arrest, at approximately 11:45 p.m. On August 15 Lynn Kalmring made a phone call to her sister Shelley Pertelson.

“I heard her sobbing, like I am right now,” Pertelson told the court.

She said it was unusual to get such a late call from from her sister, who was upset from a fight she had with Wiens over financial issues. Kalmring said Wiens told her she had better get a job before he went to bed that night.

Further witnesses will be testifying in the two-week trial that began last Thursday. Kalmring's daughter and son in-law, as well as forensic experts are among those to take the stand.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250)718-0428.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013