Canada’s highest court has ruled that Craig Pope deserves a new trial.
The 35-year-old St. John’s man was convicted of second-degree murder in 2019, but that was overturned by the province’s Court of Appeal, which ordered a re-trial.
The Crown appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada, which upheld the lower court ruling in a split 5-4 decision.
At issue was the trial judge’s instructions to the jury on the difference between manslaughter and murder when it comes to intent to commit the crime.
Pope had been convicted in the stabbing death of 36-year-old Jonathan Collins on Alderberry Lane in September of 2015.
Court heard they got into a fight over $60.
The next step is a new arraignment date for Pope, who was granted bail while awaiting the high court ruling.
New trial dates are expected to be set at that time.