Purtill Takes the Stand

Wednesday, 27 June 2012 07:34

Bonita Purtill claims she was having a panic attack and was trying to get away from her abusive ex-boyfriend when her truck crashed into a car, killing 4-month-old Alex Fleming, in 2008. Purtill has been on the stand today in her own defence at her drunk driving trial. She told the jury she was assaulted 3-times on October 13th, by roommate Bob Colwell. She claims he was upset at her belongings taking up room in their garage, and he threw a golf bag at her, striking her in the midsection. She also told the court, he knocked her to the ground, and knocked her thanksgiving turkey out of the pan when she had asked him for help. She also claims Colwell took her cell phone, and punched Purtill in the ear when she tried to reach for it. She said after that she no longer felt safe in the home, and grabbed her keys and locked herself in her truck. She says Colwell came out of the house and threatened her, "He told me I'd never speak to anybody again.". Purtill says she was fleeing to get to a payphone at Mac's Milk to call her sister and daughter, but not police because she "doesn't trust Woodstock Police", citing earlier domestic-related calls for help. Colwell does have a previous assault conviction against Purtill from 2005, but he denied assaulting her on the day in question. Purtill's lawyer, Peter Kratzmann asked her if Colwell was previously abusive, then why was she living with him in 2008? Purtill said - "It's probably the stupidest decision I ever made in my life." She told the jury she believed Colwell's van was tailing her as she ran the red light at Devonshire and Huron. She says she was having a panic attack, and that she collapsed against the centre console before crashing. Purtill also claimed after the crash, she never saw the occupants of the other vehicle, as her hood folded up, blocking her view. She said she thought they might "have a scratch or a bump - not anything serious." She says she learned the next morning that the impact caused the death of 4-month-old Alex Fleming. She said the news was "shocking" and "devastating". Several witnesses have testified to smelling alcohol on Purtill on the night in question. Purtill claimed she had a drink in her hand in two of the three assaults, spilling the beverage on her. She claims to have only had 2 glasses of wine and a margarita on the day in question. Arresting officer Darcy Campbell also said Purtill was uneasy on her feet and actually passed out in the back of his cruiser. In explanation of that, Purtill testified today that she injured her knees in the crash, and they were weak. She also says she laid down in the back of the cruiser to ease the pain on her knees. Purtill has not contested the fact that she refused to offer police a breath sample that night. She says she wanted a lawyer present, and claimed she was having trouble with the phone she was given to contact duty counsel. Purtill is facing cross-examination this afternoon. Tune to Heart FM for reports from the courthouse.