Jury deliberations begin in Gerald Stanley murder trial
Gerald Stanley’s fate is now in the hands of 12 strangers.
The jury retired late this afternoon to consider its verdict at Stanley’s trial, which has been running since Jan. 29 at Battleford’s Court of Queen’s Bench. Stanley pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the shooting of Colten Boushie, which occurred in Stanley’s farmyard Aug. 9, 2016.
During closing arguments, which were heard this morning, defence lawyer Scott Spencer said the shooting was a tragic accident caused by a misfire. In contrast, Crown prosecutor William Burge said the shooting was either intentional, or was caused by Stanley’s careless handling of a loaded firearm.
In his detailed and lengthy instructions to the jury, Chief Justice Martel Popescul ordered them to set aside passion, sympathy and prejudice, and base their discussions entirely on the evidence presented during the trial. Public opinion, media reports and other outside information must not factor into their discussions or verdict, he said.