Ermine’s trial took place at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski.
A late night jury decision has come in for second-degree murder in a Muskoday killing.
This verdict is related to charges against Robyn Laura Ermine, 30, for the Feb. 2015 death of her boyfriend, Evan Tylan Bear.
The two had been drinking into the early hours of the morning with Ermine’s stepsister when an argument between the couple became physical.
A self-defence argument was presented, but it appears the jury did not accept Ermine’s use of force. The Crown prosecutor had stated at trial that Ermine had many options to get out of the fight without stabbing Bear.
Evidence from eyewitness Ermine’s stepsister Shelinda Vallier, police officers, a forensic pathologist, emergency responders, Ermine herself and Ermine’s mother Leona Bear was presented over the course of five days before lawyers presented their closing arguments to the jury. The graphic photos and video of the crime scene elicited an emotional response from Evan’s family, who stayed in the gallery throughout the trial.
On Wednesday, the jury was left to consider whether the use of force was reasonable and came to a verdict around 9 p.m.
The verdict shows the jury found Ermine guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for the charge of second-degree murder, which was the Crown’s responsibility to prove. The details of how the jury came to its decision will remain behind closed doors.
Ermine will be sentenced in Prince Albert on Friday.
Second-degree murder comes with an automatic life sentence, and parole eligibility will be decided on Friday. The options range between 10 and 25 years of ineligibility before the offender is able to apply for parole with the Parole Board of Canada.