Jury Sides With Defence In Little Red Homicide

Jury Sides With Defence In Little Red Homicide

Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 13:14

A jury has convicted a man from the Little Red River reserve of manslaughter in the death of 29-year-old Clayton Ballantyne.

The accused, Henry Bird, showed no emotion as the verdict was read earlier today in Prince Albert.

The jury could have convicted him of second-degree murder, but ended up agreeing with the defence, which argued Bird was too intoxicated to have formed the intent to kill Ballantyne.

Bird was also found guilty of assaulting his own brother, Fletcher Bird, and of break and enter.

Earlier this week, he pleaded guilty to another charge of aggravated assault.

The Crown says it’s too soon to say whether an appeal will be launched.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for tomorrow morning.