(Posted 7:30 a.m., Nov. 21)
Man who killed Christopher Worden found guilty of first degree murder
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Cst. Chris Worden was responding to a call in Hay River, NWT in June 2007 when he was gunned down by Emrah Bulatchi, a 25-year-old drug dealer and part-time oil rig worker. File photo

Emrah Bulatci, the 25-year-old drug dealer and part-time oil rig worker who admitted to shooting Cst. Chris Worden in Hay River, NWT in the early morning hours of June 6 2007, was found guilty of first degree murder on Thursday after a 12-member jury deliberated for nearly 13 hours, including a 10-hour break during which they asked for clarrification of the legal definition of first-degree murder and manslaughter, with an emphasis on intent.

Having a clear understanding of the difference between the two charges was crucial in the jury`s determination of a verdict.

Bulatci had already admitted to shooting Cst. Worden, who was an Orléans native and a former St. Matthew High School student Class of 95. He tried to plead guilty to manslaughter at the beginning of the trial but his attempted plea was rejected by the Crown.

During the trial it was established that Worden was responding to an early morning domestic call when he saw a man fleeing from the address in question. He started to pursue the suspect and was shot four times beside a nearby apartment building.

When he took the stand Bulatci admittted to firing two shots at Worden`s legs to try and slow Worden down. According to Bulatci, the third and fourth shots, which resulted in Worden`s death, were fired accidentally while the two men struggled in the snow.

The Crown contended that Worden`s wounds were not consistent with the accidental discharge of a weapon – in this case a handgun – during a struggle. In their words it was implausible to accidentally fire two shots when a gun is pointed directly at the victim.

The jury ultimately agreed with the Crown and found Bulatci guilty of first degree murder. The verdict comes with an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole.

Worden`s entire family was present when the verdict was read out. At a press conference following the trial Worden`s father John said that “justice had been served”.

“While we are pleased with the first-degree murder verdict, nothing can bring back our son, brother, husband and father,” said Mr. Worden who was flanked by Worden`s mother Mary Jane, his brothers Peter and Michael, his sister Cathy and his widow Jodie.

“Today, justice has been served. The first-degree murder conviction handed down by the jury is the correct one. The convicted criminal shot our Christopher four times with only one intent: to kill.”

Worden grew up in Convent Glen and attended St. Matthew High School where he was a popular student and a star football player. After graduating in 1995 he went to Wlilfird Laurier University and later joined the RCMP in 2003.
He and Jodie had a baby girl Alexis who was just eight months old when he was killed.

Cst. Chris Worden's father John is flanked by his widow Jodie (far left), brother Michael and mother Mary Jane. CBC Photo

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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