A. Newman

The accused was charged with first-degree murder following a shooting during a drug and firearm transaction inside a vehicle.

The accused admitted to shooting the deceased but claimed self-defence, alleging the deceased attempted to rob and kidnap him.

The court rejected the self-defence claim, finding the accused's response of discharging the firearm eight times was unreasonable in the circumstances.

However, the court found the Crown failed to prove the requisite intent for murder beyond a reasonable doubt, as the shooting occurred during a struggle.

The accused was acquitted of murder and convicted of the lesser included offence of manslaughter.

The accused was charged with firearm possession offences and obstructing a peace officer after taking a gun from his friend during a restaurant altercation and placing it in a rented limousine.

The accused argued he possessed the gun as part of a public duty to prevent harm.

The court accepted the accused's evidence that he took the gun to prevent anyone from getting hurt and had no intention of keeping or using it.

The court found the public duty defence applied and acquitted the accused on all counts.