Police interview scrutinized by defence in ongoing first-degree murder trial

Terry Cole told the police that Matthew Kavanaugh was the one who killed Michael Fillier on September 30th, 2024, but he didn't give the police any information that could verify his claim. That was one of the central points made by Cole's lawyer, Courtney Mills, on Friday during a lengthy cross-examination of RCMP Constable Daniel Gillingham. Cole spoke to Gillingham over the course of about six hours a week after the killing. Cole eventually broke down in tears, saying Kavanaugh was the killer, but the interview didn't go any further than that. Cole began asking for a cigarette and saying he'd tell them the full story if they dropped the murder charge against his girlfriend Stephanie Naftal. Gillingham never asked Cole how Fillier was killed. Mills accused him of avoiding that question because the answer might not match information known by investigators. Gillingham disagreed, saying he ended the interview because Cole was looking to make deals. You got what you wanted from him and you didn't care if it was the truth, Mills said. Again, the officer disagreed. Mills also questioned Gillingham over a dose of methadone he helped secure for Cole before the statement began. Cole, an opioid user, asked for methadone the morning after his arrest, but his prescription had lapsed. Gillingham said the RCMP tracked down Dr. Todd Young in Springdale, who prescribed the opioid withdrawal medication after a phone call. Mills said the officer never asked Cole how the medication affected him throughout the interview. The officer said Cole was alert and coherent throughout the entire process. Gillingham was the final witness for the Crown in this trial that's been ongoing for five weeks. The jury has a break until next Wednesday as the lawyers work out issues behind closed doors. Ryan Cook, CBC News, St. John's.