A judge has found a Tsiigehtchic man not guilty in the death of his son.
Supreme Court Judge Andrew Mahar acquitted 57-year-old Wayne McDonald on a manslaughter charge Monday in Inuvik.
McDonald, who was not in custody during his trial last week, was charged in connection with the April, 2016 asphyxiation death of 28-year-old Gary McDonald.
Crown prosecutor Alex Godfrey called it a tragic case made even more traumatic due to the emotional testimony from Nellie McDonald, Gary’s mother and Wayne’s wife.
She described the night Gary died recalling that he and his dad had been in a physical altercation at their home.
But Godfrey adds that the family members who were in the courtroom for the decision appeared relieved and he hopes that they can now move forward and try to put this horrific family tragedy behind them.
Godfrey adds that Wayne McDonald had been freed from custody under court conditions about two months after he was charged.