The jury in the trial of 28-year-old Chad Colton Alphonse of Kelowna has found him guilty on the charge of manslaughter, but not guilty on the charge of second degree murder in the March 11th, 2016 stabbing death of Waylon Jackson.
After jury deliberations began Thursday morning around 11:20 AM and concluded early Friday morning, the verdict was revealed to a nearly full courtroom.
The jury found that Alphonse did not have the intent to kill or commit serious bodily harm when stabbing Jackson following a fight that took place between the two at a party.
Defence lawyer Terry LaLiberté, who represented Alphonse during the trial, says he will be looking to avoid any jail time for his client, and will instead seek a conditional sentence that will be served in the community.
"The case law says that jail is usually required," says LaLiberté. "I disagree with it. Locking another young Native person up on circumstances like this would be a tragedy."
LaLiberté called his client a "nice young man" who is currently receiving help for alcoholism.
The matter will be back in court on Monday, April 9th to fix a date for sentencing.
A Gladue report, which considers the background of a convicted First Nations person prior to sentencing, has been ordered for Alphonse.
There is no mandatory minimum sentence for manslaughter in Canada.
Alphonse's family chose not to comment following the verdict, although Alphonse's mother could be seen crying in the courtroom following the verdict.
The 3-week trial saw 27 witnesses come forward, consisting of RCMP personnel, forensic experts, and guests who attended the party where the stabbing took place.