WOMAN, 77, WON’T FACE CHARGES IN NURSING HOME DEATH

The “tragic” death of an elderly Halifax-area woman has been ruled a homicide, but investigators say no charges will be laid because the 77-year-old suspect is not criminally culpable. An 86-year-old woman died on Sept. 3 following complications from an injury sustained during an altercation with a 77-yearold woman on June 7 at a nursing home, Halifax Regional Police said Thursday. Spokeswoman Const. Carol McIsaac said the suspect is not criminally culpable due to her cognitive impairment. Police said the medical examiner called officers to Oakwood Terrace in Dartmouth on Sept. 4. After an autopsy the next day, the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. Investigators said they have completed their investigation and in consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, they have decided not to lay charges against the 77- year- old woman. “People get to a certain point with their medical issues and they don’t intend to cause any harm, but unfortunately in these circumstances, sometimes these things happen and it’s a very difficult situation,” said McIsaac.