The accused, Malik Mbuyi, was charged with first-degree murder in relation to two deaths and conspiracy to commit murder.
The Crown's case relied heavily on the testimony of an accomplice, Kareem Zedan, who was deemed an unreliable "Vetrovec" witness, but whose testimony was corroborated by circumstantial evidence including DNA, CCTV footage, and cellphone records.
The court found the accused to be the shooter and to have the requisite intent for murder (transferred intent for one victim, gratuitous for the other).
However, due to the inconsistencies in the accomplice's testimony and lack of sufficient corroborative evidence regarding planning and deliberation, the court found the Crown failed to prove first-degree murder or conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.
Consequently, the accused was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder.
