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Markel Jason Downey acquitted of attempted murder charges

Nova Scotia Supreme Court is pictured on May 18, 2016. A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge has acquitted Markel Jason Downey. Global News

A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge has acquitted Markel Jason Downey of attempted murder charges.

The 20-year-old was facing 28 charges, including three counts of attempted murder, that stemmed from an incident in Cole Harbour more than two years ago.

The decision comes less than a week after the Crown and defence presented their closing arguments.

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READ MORE: Former NS boxing champ Markel Jason Downey to learn fate next week

It was alleged that Downey broke into a home on Arklow Drive on Nov. 30, 2014.

Three people were shot, including Ashley MacLean Kearse, who was left paralyzed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair.

READ MORE: Police charge 4 teens in connection with Cole Harbour triple shooting

On Thursday, Crown Attorney James Giacomantonio told Global News the case almost rested entirely on MacLean Kearse’s testimony.

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Three youths were also charged in connection with the home invasion and have since been dealt with in the justice system after pleading guilty. A court ban protects the names of those individuals.

– With files from Natasha Pace, Global News

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