The accused was charged with two counts of manslaughter by omission in relation to the death of his foster child: one by criminal negligence and one by failing to provide the necessaries of life.
The jury convicted him of criminal negligence but acquitted him of failing to provide the necessaries of life.
The Court of Appeal overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial, finding the verdicts inconsistent.
The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the Crown's appeal and allowed the accused's cross-appeal, entering an acquittal on the criminal negligence count.
The Court held that the verdicts were inconsistent because both counts relied on the exact same failure to perform the exact same duty, and criminal negligence requires a higher degree of fault.