Originally Posted by
Bluebulldog
Stanley never quavered from his statement that the gun just went off.
He had the ACE card of saying that it was self defense, but didn't use it. He in fact fired two warning shots.
The Crown could have preferred the lesser charge of manslaughter, or Crim Negligence Causing Death, but did not. As the Crown was not a novice, one must wonder why he stuck with a 2nd degree murder charge, knowing he had to prove intent to kill.
The fact is, that it is likely that the crown was pressured to "hang" Stanley with the murder charge. The same people who pressured him, are likely the same ones who are now crying foul. The Crown was then forced to play his hand, with witnesses that perjured themselves, provided inconsistent testimony, and in one case, had to have a subpoena and a warrant issued, because he couldn't be bothered to attend.
Meanwhile Stanley's account did not change, and that of his family did not change.....for the jury, I'm sure it wasn't a tough call.