Guilty verdict for man who killed 1-year-old son in Fort Saskatchewan
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Starrett’s bail has been revoked until sentencing.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and senior RCMP officers are defending the national police force's years-long and previously undisclosed use of spyware—capable of remotely accessing cell phone and computer microphones, cameras and other data—as part of dozens of major investigations.
Saskatoon police say a woman who had been reported missing is facing charges in the United States related to unauthorized use of identification and in Canada related to parental abduction and public mischief.
Ontario's health minister said Monday that six hospitals had to close departments -- including ERs -- over the weekend, but argued that the situation wasn't unprecedented.
Sources close to the government's proposed $5.3 billion dental care program say the Liberals are planning a temporary solution that involves giving money directly to patients in order to keep their promise to the NDP while they work on a more permanent answer.
A suspect already in handcuffs has allegedly managed to overpower a Toronto police officer and steal their SUV, sending police on a wild early morning chase.
A Calgary man and woman face 33 charges for alleged drug possession in addition to alleged firearm possession that police say was for the purpose of trafficking drugs.
The deputy mayor of a southern Newfoundland town says his community is running out of food as it remains cut off from the rest of the island due to the worst forest fires the province has seen in more than 60 years.
Halifax has cancelled 75 bus trips due to a lack of transit staff, and the union representing the drivers says staffing levels will likely get worse before they get better.
A weather front sprawling out of Ontario and Quebec is leading a low pressure system across the Maritimes Monday through Tuesday. Rain, drizzle and fog are expected in the region with some areas experiencing heavy rain for a period of time.
Ontario hospitals are upholding their mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for employees as staff shortages mount to a 'crisis' with more emergency departments temporarily closing over the weekend.
Ontario's health minister said Monday that six hospitals had to close departments -- including ERs -- over the weekend, but argued that the situation wasn't unprecedented.
Quebec's chief coroner has ordered a public inquiry into the death of 26-year-old Abdulla Shaikh, who is suspected of killing the three men at random last week.
One day after Montreal Pride abruptly cancelled the parade just hours before it was set to begin, organizers didn't have much to say about how poorly they managed the festival's marquee event. And now there are concerns about how the embarrassing mistake could hurt the city's reputation.
Montreal police are investigating the suspicious death of a man whose body was found in a bin during recycling collection in the city's Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood Monday morning.
Ottawa's Confederation Line LRT will be closing early on a total of 10 days this month as crews perform maintenance on the tracks, with reduced service planned on parts of the line for two other nights.
OC Transpo is advising customers to prepare for more bus trip cancellations today and this week, as the transit service deals with a staffing shortage caused by summer vacations and sick leave absences.
Student housing is hard to come by in Waterloo and new spots are constantly being built to address the need, but it appears some new housing might not be ready in time for the start of the school year.
Brantford Police have issued an arrest warrant for a man and are asking the public for help identifying a second man following a police chase which resulted in multiple collisions and the two suspects evading arrest.
For the first full term since the onset of the pandemic students in Ontario schools will not be required to wear a face covering for the fall semester.
A Manitoba woman who abused and killed her daughter in one of the province's most notorious crimes has been granted escorted temporary absences from prison.
Several belongings have been found, but there's still no sign of an American man who crossed the border to attend a music festival, officials said, announcing the suspension of search efforts.
A mom in Chilliwack, B.C., says she was terrified after her children were exposed to an unknown irritant at a local playground that caused their skin and eyes to burn.
The City of Victoria is marking the grand opening of its newest bike and skateboard park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and demonstrations by some professional riders Saturday.
