The accused shot and killed his common-law spouse and was charged with second degree murder.
The trial judge acquitted him of murder but convicted him of manslaughter, finding a reasonable doubt as to intent due to a combination of intoxication and accident.
The Court of Appeal set aside the acquittal, finding the trial judge's reasons inadequate.
The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal and restored the acquittal, holding that while the duty to give reasons applies to acquittals, the reasons were sufficient to permit meaningful appellate review given the Crown's limited right of appeal on questions of law alone.
