Guilty verdict for man who killed 1-year-old son in Fort Saskatchewan
Damien Christopher Starrett was found guilty of killing his one-year-old son Ares Starrett and assaulting another child in a Fort Saskatchewan home on Nov. 23, 2019.
More than two-dozen people packed into an Edmonton courtroom Wednesday, one woman clutching a teddy bear to hear the verdict.
Starrett was accused with killing his one-year-old son Ares Starrett and assaulting another child in a Fort Saskatchewan home on Nov. 23, 2019.
While providing a summary of his findings, the judge said the boy was “punched, kicked, stomped in the head,” and died as a result of multiple head injuries.
During a judge-alone trial in March and April, Starrett argued he was not criminally responsible and that he was in a state of automatism when the attacks on the children happened.
The judge said about a year after the incident Starrett came out with a story that he was “teleported and attacked by a shadow creature,” and that he was trying to protect the children.
The judge said the story evolved over time and was an attempt “to rationalize his behaviour.”
The court heard Starrett has a long history of back pain, insomnia and illicit drug use including cocaine, Percocet and that he was going through heroin withdrawl at the time of the incident.
“He also admitted the use of Percocet within hours of Ares death,” the judge said.
“He was experiencing other stressors including financial and relationship issues.”
While the judge said the evidence was helpful in understanding Starrett, the judge believes he became overwhelmed by his situation and acted voluntarily.
“I do not accept Mr. Starrett’s statement that he was not aware of what was happening,” he said.
Starrett was found guilty of manslaughter and common assault.
“I am satisfied the Crown has proven without a doubt, that Mr. Starrett’s actions caused Ares death,” the judge said.
After the verdict and judge had left the courtroom one man began yelling at Starrett, “You’re a coward, bro. What you did to that little boy,” he said.
Starrett’s bail has been revoked until sentencing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.