Justice For Wilbert Bartley Jr

On July 30, 2010 at 6:15pm Wilbert Bartley, also known as Willy or "Peaches" out west, was shot and killed by a member of the Kamloops RCMP which resulted in the vehicle Bartley was occupying at the time crashing through the front window of a restaurant. Reason for the shooting is still not known to the public as the investigation report is now in the hands of the Crown where it will be decided whether or not charges should be laid against the officer/officers involved.

So far the only defense the RCMP are seeking is that the undercover vehicle in which the 2 plain clothed officers were in had been "rammed" by Bartley and their lives were endangered by the 2000lb weapon Bartley had which was a Toyota 4 runner vehicle.

Shortly after the shooting rumors started and so did the media with false and misleading stories such as Bartley possibly robbed a nearby gas station according to CTV News to such stories that Bartley hit a little girl on the cross walk just meters away. In another video interview a fella by the name of Dwayne Ned claims he seen most of this nightmare go down and that Bartley had in fact robbed the nearby gas station, circled the block a couple times and upon Bartley's second race around the block it was then an officer from across the road opened fire at Bartley causing the 4runner to become "air born" which then resulted in Bartley crashing through the restaurant window just inches away from where he had been originally parked as he went in to the gas station to "purchase" a couple items. It is known to the public as of now that Bartley did not rob the gas station (or any other store), did not hit a little girl on the cross walk, did not circle the block 2 times or at all for that matter in which he did not go "air born" through the restaurant window, was not armed, wasn't wanted by police, no warrants, the vehicle he was driving wasn't stolen and if you take a look at the police van you can clearly see that this van was not "rammed" but had been "sideswiped" which now puts this whole scenario in a new and different perspective proving that Bartley did not put their lives or anyone else's life in danger.

The only person's life that was in danger was Wilbert Bartley's and the 4runner he was driving can prove it with 2 bullet holes through the wind-shield and 1 through the side window. How is it possible with these so called "witnesses" seeing a nightmare like this unfold right in front of them...and all have different stories? Whatever their reason may be it will never be justifiable as to why Wilbert Bartley's life ended so tragically on the night of July 30, 2010.

Links:

Deadly Shooting in Kamloops

Victim Named


Mounties Say Vehicle Was Rammed Before Shooting


Walk For Willy August 21 2010


Family Arrives in Kamloops To Lead Second Memorial Walk


Memorial Video


Police Hire Lawyers


Third Walk Held in Owen Sound


Cops On Desk Duty


CPS Concludes Investigation With No Recommendations

The above video is from a so called witness that apparently saw the whole nightmare go down. He claims that Bartley robbed the convenience store, he is also the witness that claims Bartley's vehicle went "air born" (and almost caught the photo on his cell phone) which then resulted in the vehicle crashing through the restaurant window before coming to a stop.

So far from the witnesses what I have personally seen and read, they have completely different stories, the only part of the story that the witnesses have in common is the fact that the vehicle crashed through the restaurant window, other than that nothing is really the same. As Dwayne Ned mentions in the video Bartley robbed the store and apparently circled the block twice. Others say Bartley left the convenience store after making a purchase, got in to his vehicle and "backed into" or as some say "rammed" the undercover police van. One witness whom I won't reveal his name, personally told me that he really doesn't recall if Bartley hit the vehicle or not but remembers everything else that took place.

Another witness claims that the undercover police van was parked beside Bartley and when Bartley proceeded to back out so did the van which then resulted in a "side swiped" "accidental" move on Bartley's behalf and then seconds later this witness was just feet away from Bartley as he crashed through the restaurant window already deceased due to a bullet in the head by one of the officers. The whole death of Wilbert Bartley is baffling and the truth needs to be known especially to his family. Other than wondering what happened on that hot summer long weekend night, another question needs to be answered truthfully, why so many witnesses with so many different stories??? There was no reason what so ever for either of those officers to pull their guns and fire, especially aiming straight for Bartley's head, you think their first choice would have been the tires of the vehicle, disabling it so Bartley couldn't get away if that is what they figured. To aim 2 shots through the windshield and 1 through the side window(at head level) means only one thing, they pulled their guns with full intentions to kill Bartley for reasons yet to be known.

Why else would one human aim a gun at another humans head and pull the trigger if you didn't have intentions of killing them??? Or just a warning shot to say "hey we are being serious here" if they felt the need to pull out their guns. Wilbert Bartley was murdered and there is no other explanation for something so tragic to happen to a man that did not have a violent bone in his body....or violence on his criminal record.

Eight months have now past after crown counsel has decided that there will be no charges layed against the 2 officers involved. Below are some links including a statement from Clay Kroenbusch (the shooter) and his partner Mark Freeman (the driver of the van) however as you will notice all stories have differences in them.

Inside The Shooting Death of Wilbert Bartley

Mark Freeman's Recollection

Clay Kroenbusch's Recollection

According to police they are now saying that Bartley spoke with them a few weeks prior and was considering becoming an informant which is a far cry from the truth. Bartley had been avoiding the police because of this and the fact that police wanted Bartley to "rat" other's out. Maybe this picture is perhaps a bit more clearer now and could it be that maybe Bartley had seen something or knew something that could have ruined someone's future? Maybe that is why police tried so hard to turn Bartley to their side? Maybe because Bartley refused to work with them and the combination of seeing something or knowing something could be why Bartley's life ended so tragically?


A Police Card Found in Bartley's Wallet


Whatever took place that horrible night of July 30, 2011 remains unclear as the truth has yet to be spoken. So many different stories and versions that have boggled the minds of so many. No matter which story is correct or not correct the fact of the matter stay's the same and let the truth be known that Wilbert Bartley was without a doubt MURDERED and therefore Justice must be Served.

Here's an update as of May 2012 when the inquest into the shooting took place in Kamloops, BC. I was not present on the first day when the shooter took the stand ( Clay Kronebusch ) and his partner ( Mark Freeman ) appeared by video with a pre recorded statement. Here is the end result of what happened at the inquest:


By Tim Petruk - Kamloops This Week
Published: May 16, 2012 4:00 PM
Updated: May 16, 2012 5:41 PM

Throughout the two days of testimony this week at the coroner’s inquest looking into the death of Wilbert Bartley, a framed picture of the 50-year-old sat on a desk inside Courtroom 5D at the Kamloops Law Courts.

The image sat facing the jury — made up of three women and two men — depicting a happy Bartley mugging for the camera.

Just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, after the jury returned with its final recommendations, Catherine Bartley clutched the framed photo of her son in her arms as she exited the courtroom.

The Bartley matriarch stood looking out a fifth-floor window and held the frame tight to her chest as she broke down in tears.

Wilbert Bartley was shot and killed by Kamloops RCMP Const. Clay Kronebusch on July 30, 2010, in the parking lot of a North Shore gas station.

Kronebusch testified he thought Bartley was trying to run him over with a vehicle.

Kronebusch fired three shots, each of which hit Bartley in the head.

Kronebusch and his partner, RCMP Const. Mark Freeman, were cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by the Crown, when a senior Kamloops lawyer decided not to pursue criminal charges relating to the incident.

The two officers said they were attempting to speak with Bartley about the return of a seized computer.

The inquest jury delivered a list of six recommendations — five to the RCMP and one to the B.C. Coroners Service.

The jury wants the RCMP to use the Bartley incident as a training tool for law enforcement “to improve and promote best practices when engaging in effective use of lethal-force training.”

The jury also recommended the force install surveillance cameras in all unmarked police vehicles, have its officers complete eight hours of lethal-force or communication training each year, use mail or the phone to contact people about returning seized items and partner junior officers with senior officers.

To the B.C. Coroners Service, the jury recommended all officers involved in police shootings be required to attend in-person for inquests.

While Kronebusch testified at the inquest — and was peppered with questions from jurors afterward — Freeman did not.

Instead, the jury was shown a pre-recorded video of his questioning by lawyers representing the RCMP and the Coroners Service.

That meant there was no opportunity to question him about his version of the events.

Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Grant Learned said the recommendations made to the RCMP will be considered by brass in Vancouver and Ottawa.

“We respect the recommendations that the jury put forward,” he said, noting decisions about policy aren’t made at the local level.

“The recommendations would have an impact on the RCMP as a whole. It’s far greater than just the Kamloops RCMP detachment.”

Bartley’s family — three of whom traveled to Kamloops from Ontario for the inquest — was happy with the jury’s recommendations, but remains upset criminal charges were not laid.

“I think they’re right on the money,” Wanda Doubt, Bartley’s sister, told KTW after the recommendations were read.

“But, if this were a jury in a criminal trial, he’d [Kronebusch] have life in prison.”

Anne Cochrane, another sister of Bartley’s, was emotional after the jury read its recommendations.

“Look at her holding her son,” she said, gesturing toward her mother, still grasping tight the framed photo.

“All the recommendations in the world don’t bring Wilbert back.”

Video surveillance just minutes before the shooting occurred:

Kamloops RCMP's radio in the hectic moments after Wilbert Bartley was shot and killed:

Photos from the scene: WARNING: Some photos contain images of blood that may not be suitable for some visitors to this site:

As mentioned prior, I attended the second day of the inquest that was held in Kamloops, BC on May 14, 2012 and I must say that should this matter have been a murder trial, I think "someone" would have been convicted of murder. You could clearly see up on each juror's face how upset they were with this matter, but as Catherine Bartley states "It isn't over until the fat lady sings, and she's not singing" yet!"

See also:Wilbert Bartley Memorial Page on Facebook