Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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Second-Degree Murder Charge Withdrawn Against N.L. Man After Baby's Brain Is Lost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 JOHN'S, N.L. — A second-degree murder charge has been withdrawn against a man in the death of his infant son because a key piece of evidence, the baby's brain, cannot be found, says Newfoundland and Labrador's Justice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

    2-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Missing For Hours Near Powell River, B.C.

    2-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Missing For Hours Near Powell River, B.C.
    Const. Tim Kenning with the Powell River RCMP says police believed the little girl walked away from her home.

    2-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Missing For Hours Near Powell River, B.C.

    Waterloo, Ont. Startup Sober Steering Aims To 'Sniff' Out Drunk Driving

    Waterloo, Ont. Startup Sober Steering Aims To 'Sniff' Out Drunk Driving
    WATERLOO, Ont. — Inside a few Canadian school buses a new sensor technology is helping keep drunk drivers off the roads.

    Waterloo, Ont. Startup Sober Steering Aims To 'Sniff' Out Drunk Driving

    Not As Many Deep Freezes This Winter, Says The Weather Network

    Not As Many Deep Freezes This Winter, Says The Weather Network
     Canadians with vivid memories of the teeth-rattling cold last winter can look forward to a reprieve this season.

    Not As Many Deep Freezes This Winter, Says The Weather Network

    Fraud Prompts B.C. Securities Commission To Levy $1-Million Fine On Chilliwack Real Estate Developer

    Fraud Prompts B.C. Securities Commission To Levy $1-Million Fine On Chilliwack Real Estate Developer
    A B.C. Securities Commission panel has ordered that Rodney Wharram pay a $500,000 fine and another $517,500 to cover the amount it says he obtained by his fraudulent misconduct.

    Fraud Prompts B.C. Securities Commission To Levy $1-Million Fine On Chilliwack Real Estate Developer

    Toronto Police Seize $12 Million In Counterfeit Goods Including Blue Jays Gear

    Toronto Police Seize $12 Million In Counterfeit Goods Including Blue Jays Gear
    Toronto police say they have seized more than $12 million in counterfeit goods including Blue Jays jerseys, headphones and purses as part of an ongoing operation.

    Toronto Police Seize $12 Million In Counterfeit Goods Including Blue Jays Gear

    Winnipeg Man Pleads Guilty In Pair Of High-profile Sex Attacks, Reports Say

    Winnipeg Man Pleads Guilty In Pair Of High-profile Sex Attacks, Reports Say
    WINNIPEG — Published reports say a Winnipeg man has pleaded guilty to a pair of violent sexual assaults, including one on a teen who became a spokeswoman for the plight of missing and murdered aboriginal women.

    Winnipeg Man Pleads Guilty In Pair Of High-profile Sex Attacks, Reports Say