'We were playing Russian roulette': Windsor man admits to killing his best friend
A judge has accepted a guilty plea into the shooting death of a Windsor man back in March 2017.
In Superior Court Tuesday, William Green, 58, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Michael Holmberg, 59.
“It’s a horrible situation,” defence lawyer Dan Scott told the media outside the courthouse. “These guys were drunk.”
Assistant crown attorney Jennifer Holmes read in an Agreed Statement of Facts for the court about what happened.
Court heard on the evening of March 17, into the 18th, Green and Holmberg were drinking together at a home on Elsmere Avenue in Windsor.
Green has admitted he consumed a “considerable” amount of alcohol that day, before continuing to drink when Holmberg arrived at his house.
“Holmberg brought the handgun to the party,” according to Scott. “There were statements in the disclosure that suggested that this was not their first time wandering down the path of playing Russian roulette.”
Court heard the men would take turns spinning the chamber on the revolver and then raising the gun to their heads.
Holmes says Green took the weapon from Holmberg and instead of spinning the chamber, the firearm was discharged.
Court heard Holmberg was shot “all in one bullet track” which went through his left arm, and stopped in his torso.
The weapon, according to Holmes, was a short-barrel black revolver, Smith & Wesson .38 Special, which is a prohibited gun.
Police were called just after midnight, for a “report of a person shot.”
When police got there, Green was on the front porch holding a cellphone and he advised officers Holmberg was inside on the couch.
“He shot himself,” Green told police. “We were playing Russian Roulette.”
Holmberg was pronounced dead at hospital at 5:55 a.m., and court heard Green was arrested and charged with murder at 7:23 a.m.
Green was facing five offences including second degree murder, possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless use and storage of a firearm and assault.
He pleaded not guilty before Justice Bruce Thomas, and then pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.
“Intoxication reduces murder to manslaughter,” says Scott. “Its incorporated in the code (Criminal Code of Canada). Because if you’re intoxicated, you can’t form the intent that’s required to commit murder.”
Justice Thomas will hear sentencing submissions on Jan. 10.
“I’m asking for five years,” says Scott.
Green has been on house arrest since he got bail in April 2017.
“There’s some law to suggest that because his liberty was restricted he’ll get credit for it,” Scott says.
Holmes declined to comment Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.