The Saskatchewan man who was charged in the death of 25-year-old Zachary Straughan has had his charges upgraded to manslaughter.
Straughan died after being beaten with a pool cue inside Valley Bowling Lines on Main Street in Winkler, Man. just before midnight Saturday.
READ MORE: Saskatoon man dies after hit with pool cue at southern Manitoba bowling alley
He was airlifted to a hospital in Winnipeg and died of his injuries on Sept. 26 at the Health Sciences Centre.
Justin Leslie Bird, 29, was initially charged with aggravated assault and possession of a controlled substance. On Friday, the Winkler Police Service said the assault charge had been upgraded to manslaughter after direction from the Crown’s attorney office.
Police said the two men, who were both from Saskatoon, were arguing over a small unpaid bill and Straughan was struck several times with a pool cue.
Ashley Hague, Straughan’s common-law partner, said Straughan was in the community working a construction job. She also said she learned the argument was over $16.
Hague said she was “very disappointed” that Bird was not charged with second-degree murder.
“I don’t think manslaughter’s enough,” Hague said.
“He didn’t stay there; he took off and ran… He ruined hundreds of lives.”
Hague said she plans on attending Bird’s court appearances in Manitoba. Bird remains in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre. His next court appearance is scheduled for Morden Provincial Court on Oct. 11.
Straughan leaves behind three children from a previous marriage and Hague said the two had just discovered they were also expecting a child.
READ MORE: Saskatoon woman calls common-law partner’s death ‘senseless’
GoFundMe pages have been set up to cover funeral costs and provide support for Straughan’s children.
With files from Joel Senick
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