National

Accused In Chemicals Case Had Enough Materials To Make Homemade Explosives: RCMP

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Jun, 2015 12:33 PM

HALIFAX — An RCMP forensic scientist says the Halifax man at the centre of a high-profile chemical scare that led to evacuations in two cities had enough chemicals to make 11 different types of explosives.

Melanie Brochu told Nova Scotia Supreme Court today that the accused, Christopher Phillips, did not appear to be making any explosives when she examined hundreds of chemicals stored in a shed east of Halifax.

Phillips is charged with threatening police officers and possessing a weapon - the hazardous chemical osmium tetroxide - for a dangerous purpose.

On Jan. 19, Phillips's wife told police she was worried about his mental health and that she feared for the safety of her family because he possessed a large stockpile of chemicals.

Neighbourhoods in Halifax and Grand Desert, N.S., were subsequently evacuated and Phillips was arrested in Jan. 21 in an Ottawa hotel after it was evacuated by police, but no chemicals were found there.

Brochu testified that osmium tetroxide is a toxic, corrosive chemical that can be deadly if swallowed.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Raging Wildfire Grows In Northern B.C.; Crews Try To Control Spreading Flames

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — A wildfire in northern British Columbia has grown by nearly 30 per cent as crews work around the clock in an effort to control the rampant blaze.

Raging Wildfire Grows In Northern B.C.; Crews Try To Control Spreading Flames

Rob Ford Begins Recovery After Successful Surgery To Remove Tumour

TORONTO — Rob Ford faces months of recovery following successful surgery at a Toronto hospital to remove a cancerous tumour from his abdomen.

Rob Ford Begins Recovery After Successful Surgery To Remove Tumour

Kevin Vickers Talks About His Emotions After Parliament Hill Firefight

SACKVILLE, N.B. — The man credited with stopping a gunman in a firefight last year on Parliament Hill recalled the emotions he felt after the shooting in a convocation address Monday to university students.

Kevin Vickers Talks About His Emotions After Parliament Hill Firefight

27-Year-Old Daniel O'Connor Killed In Black Bear Attack While Camping With Fiancée

MACKENZIE, B.C. — The BC Coroners Service says a black bear was responsible for the death of a 27-year-old man who had been camping in northern B.C.

27-Year-Old Daniel O'Connor Killed In Black Bear Attack While Camping With Fiancée

Ground Pork, Beef Recalled From B.C. Market Over Possible E. Coli Contamination

VANCOUVER — Health officials in Vancouver are warning consumers about ground pork and beef that was sold at a local store and may be contaminated with E. coli.

Ground Pork, Beef Recalled From B.C. Market Over Possible E. Coli Contamination

Ottawa To Introduce New Legislation To Speed Up Removal Of Foreign Criminals

TORONTO — The federal government will introduce new legislation to speed up the process of removing foreign nationals who have committed serious crimes in Canada.