After two days of deliberations, the 12-person jury has not reached a verdict in the first-degree murder trial for three men accused of killing Shawn Douglas.
The jury is tasked with finding if Johnathon Peepeetch, Dennis Thompson and Joshua Wilson are guilty in the first-degree murder of Shawn Douglas back in August 2014.
The Crown believes Douglas was forcibly confined against his will, put into the trunk of a car and led into bush outside Regina where he was beaten with a sledgehammer and several other weapons.
Video evidence newly released allegedly shows Douglas being put into the trunk. It was only approved for release to the media this week.
Several Crown witnesses have testified to being at that location, along with the three accused.
In earlier testimony, Aiden Anaquod and another youth – who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act— identified themselves, Peepeetch, Thompson and Wilson as being in the video. Anaquod told court Douglas attempted to escape but was punched and put into the trunk of a silver Honda Civic. Douglas’ foot allegedly could be seen sticking out of the vehicle.
Anaquod is currently facing a first-degree murder charge for his role in Douglas’ death. The youth is also facing that same murder charge.
The jury was sequestered Tuesday afternoon and as of Wednesday evening, no decision had been made.
The Crown must have proved to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt, the three men unlawfully confined Douglas, actively participated in his death and intended to kill him. It’s that wording “actively participating” the jury had trouble with, asking for clarification from Justice McMurtry Wednesday.
McMurtry explained to the jury, by definition, the accused must have committed acts that substantially caused the death of the 54-year-old man.
They also requested the report on DNA results of items seized by police which included weapons and clothing. A written report was provided.
Despite being charged and tried together on the same case, the jury must render separate verdicts for each of the three accused.
Possible verdicts are:
- Guilty of first-degree murder
- Not guilty of first-degree murder
- Not guilty of first-degree murder but guilty of lesser offence of second-degree murder
- Not guilty of first-degree murder but guilty of lesser offence of manslaughter
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