A Trail youth who was picked up for second-degree murder in Trail this spring is now facing a reduced charge of manslaughter.
Crown counsel Phil Seagram, in consultation with police and the victim’s family, has downgraded the charge in relation to the death of a 25-year-old Trail resident who suffered fatal injuries sustained in an altercation before he was brought to Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital May 15, where he was pronounced dead.
“When they look at all the evidence, they felt that the evidence was more appropriate to support a manslaughter charge as opposed to murder,” explained Trail RCMP Sgt. Rob Hawton.
Simply put, murder involves the intent to commit murder while manslaughter is when death is a result of any other criminal act.
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the victim’s name is being withheld, as it could shed light on the identity of the suspect, who was 17 at the time of the incident.
Police say the accused is scheduled to appear in Rossland Provincial Court Feb. 9 for an intended guilty plea.