Craig Pope has been found guilty of second degree murder in the stabbing death of 36-year-old Jonathan Collins.
BREAKING: Craig Pope has been found GUILTY of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 36-year-old Jonathan Collins in a daylight altercation on Alderberry Lane in St. John's in September of 2017.@VOCMNEWS
— Ben Murphy VOCM (@BenMurphyVOCM) June 21, 2019
The jury found that Pope was responsible for the death of Collins, who died after a daylight altercation on Alderberry Lane in St. John’s in September of 2017.
The jury went out yesterday afternoon. Members were instructed to consider one of three verdicts: guilty of second degree murder, guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
The gallery erupted with emotion as the verdict was read in the courtroom.
Collins’ family console each other.
Calls of “he didn’t do it” and “tell the truth” came from the other side as one woman stormed out. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/Qd9NYkiphE
— Ben Murphy VOCM (@BenMurphyVOCM) June 21, 2019
Family members of Collins’ were comforting each other, saying things like, “We’re not happy, we’re not, but we’re relieved,” and “It doesn’t bring him back, but it’s justice.”
However, there were some tense moments as a member of the Pope family yelled out, “He didn’t do it,” and “You got the wrong one,” before storming out of the courtroom.
There is no official word on an appeal of the verdict. Pope will return for sentencing on September 18.
Collins’ family hold each other closely. It’s an emotional room, with some tears being shed. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/ZEd5wLHAGK
— Ben Murphy VOCM (@BenMurphyVOCM) June 21, 2019
Meanwhile, Crown Attorney Shawn Patten says he wasn’t concerned over a lack of weapon or witness who actually saw the stabbing.
He says their theory of the case was that they didn’t need the last piece of evidence to get a charge of second degree murder, and the lack of weapon didn’t impact their theory.
Patten commends the RNC for their work in the case. Patten says the RNC did a great job, and always puts their best foot forward when working on files. This, he says, was no exception.
