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Injuries life threatening, doctor confirms at attempted murder trial

The victim of an alleged attempted murder suffered life-threatening wounds, a physician told the court Friday.
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The victim of an alleged attempted murder suffered life-threatening wounds, a physician told the court Friday.

Bradley Douglas Barr, 35, also faces charges of discharging a firearm with an attempt to wound or disfigure and unlawful discharge of a firearm for allegedly shooting Craig Frederick Lyver, 42, on Sept. 20, 2012 on a 2800-block Northwood Pulp Mill Road property.

Dr. Louis Palerme testified that he and two other doctors operated on Lyver after he was transported to University Hospital of Northern British Columbia with shotgun wounds to his right lower leg, inside right arm just below the elbow and left hip with bird shot from close range.

He said the wounds to Lyver's leg and hip were life threatening and the combination of the three wounds was "no doubt life threatening."

Upon arrival, Lyver's heart rate and blood pressure had dropped due to blood loss and he needed resuscitation before he was taken to the operating room but was conscious by the time surgery was about to begin.

Palerme said he worked on Lyver's upper extremity while two other physicians focussed on his lower area. A police officer was on hand to collect the pellets doctors removed from Lyver.

Lyver was hit with bird shot but, under questioning from defence lawyer Keith Aartsen, Palerme said it would not have mattered if it was bird shot or buckshot because the shots were from such a close range.

No shot was found in Lyver's abdominal area and no major arteries were severed. However, Lyver did suffer extensive soft tissue damage, a broken tibia and fibula, a "tremendous amount of bone damage" to his hip and a nerve in his elbow was partially severed.

The injuries carried an "element of permanent disability," Palerme said.

The B.C. Supreme Court trial before judge alone continues Monday at the Prince George courthouse.