Close X
Thursday, November 7, 2024
ADVT 
National

Second-Degree Murder Charge Withdrawn Against N.L. Man After Baby's Brain Is Lost

The Canadian Press, 10 Dec, 2015 11:50 AM
    ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A second-degree murder charge has been withdrawn against a man in the death of his infant son because a key piece of evidence, the baby's brain, cannot be found, says Newfoundland and Labrador's Justice Department.
     
    The province's Public Prosecutions says Thomas Michel was charged with second-degree murder in November 2013 following the death of his son Matthew Rich.
     
    The prosecution was prepared to call experts in forensic pathology and neuropathology to be called as witnesses in the case, but they required access to the brain to complete the examinations necessary to provide opinions in court, the department says in a news release issued Thursday.
     
    "On attempting to facilitate the additional examinations, Public Prosecutions was advised that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner could not locate the deceased child’s brain and that the brain was presumed to have been destroyed," the release says.
     
    The Chief Medical Examiner's Office could not be reached for comment.
     
    Public Prosecutions said it could not proceed with the case.
     
    "Without the other experts having access to the brain to complete further examinations, there is no longer a reasonable likelihood of conviction," it says.
     
    Public Prosecutions says there are risks in going to trial with inadequate forensic evidence, including a potential miscarriage of justice.
     
    "This was not an easy decision for Public Prosecutions to make and was only made after lengthy consultations with the expert witnesses."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    New Calf Born To Endangered Orca Population In British Columbia Waters

    New Calf Born To Endangered Orca Population In British Columbia Waters
    VANCOUVER — Researchers say a new calf has been born into an endangered orca population off British Columbia's coast.

    New Calf Born To Endangered Orca Population In British Columbia Waters

    Brrrrrrrr: Former Refugees Say Canadian Winters Can Be A Shock For Newcomers

    Brrrrrrrr: Former Refugees Say Canadian Winters Can Be A Shock For Newcomers
    Abukar fled Somalia and lived in Egypt as a refugee before arriving in Canada in 2011. He lived in Ontario before moving to Saskatoon in the winter of 2013.

    Brrrrrrrr: Former Refugees Say Canadian Winters Can Be A Shock For Newcomers

    Christy Clark Says Trudeau Legitimizing Unaccountable Senate, B.C. Under-representation

    Christy Clark Says Trudeau Legitimizing Unaccountable Senate, B.C. Under-representation
    Christy Clark says the new process for appointing senators on merit will give legitimacy to an unelected, unaccountable upper house in which her province will remain grossly under-represented.

    Christy Clark Says Trudeau Legitimizing Unaccountable Senate, B.C. Under-representation

    Extremists Could Use Peaceful Demonstrations As Cover, Intel Report Claims

    Extremists Could Use Peaceful Demonstrations As Cover, Intel Report Claims
    The federal analysis of threats to the passenger rail system introduces a new twist to the often tense debate over state scrutiny of environmental demonstrators — that otherwise harmless activists might unwittingly harbour dangerous terrorists.

    Extremists Could Use Peaceful Demonstrations As Cover, Intel Report Claims

    Teen Urges Justin Trudeau Government To Help Secure Release Of Dad Detained In UAE

    Teen Urges Justin Trudeau Government To Help Secure Release Of Dad Detained In UAE
    An Ontario teen is calling on the new Liberal government to secure the release of her father, who has been languishing in a United Arab Emirates prison without charge for more than a year.

    Teen Urges Justin Trudeau Government To Help Secure Release Of Dad Detained In UAE

    Guy Turcotte Found Guilty Of Second-degree Murder In Deaths Of His Kids

    Guy Turcotte Found Guilty Of Second-degree Murder In Deaths Of His Kids
    The mother of two slain children had a sobering thought after their father was found guilty on Sunday of second-degree murder in their stabbing deaths nearly seven years ago.

    Guy Turcotte Found Guilty Of Second-degree Murder In Deaths Of His Kids