EMOTIONS RUN HIGH AT COURT
Not guilty verdict in murder case
A Regina courtroom exploded into sobs and shouted obscenities Friday morning as the woman accused of murdering 27-year-old Justin Crowe was found not guilty.
As 23-year-old Tia Justice Pinacie-Littlechief broke down in tears in the prisoner’s box, a couple of members of Crowe’s family had to be physically pulled from the courtroom by sheriffs and deputy sheriffs.
Members of the 11-person jury were hustled out of the courtroom on one side while, on the other, Crowe’s family and friends were ushered into the hallway. Pinacie-Littlechief and her supporters were told to remain inside the courtroom with legal counsel and reporters, guarded by deputy sheriffs, while other members of courthouse security saw to the situation that continued for some time in the hallway.
Members of the Regina Police Service were called to help out as was an EMS crew, although EMS didn’t need to transport anyone.
Ordinarily, upon completion of a jury trial, judges take a moment to thank jurors in open court for their service. Justice Jeff Kalmakoff said he wasn’t going to do that in this case “given what’s transpired.”
“I’ll do that in another forum just after court’s adjourned for the day,” he said.
Kalmakoff took a moment to thank Crown and defence counsel for their efforts.
“It’s been a challenging case and obviously a difficult trial and difficult for some people to hear the verdict,” he said.
He also told Pinacie-Littlechief — who has been out on release conditions — she was officially free to go. She had been facing a charge of second-degree murder, accused of stabbing Crowe in the heart during an incident on the Piapot First Nation on Oct. 27, 2015. Pinacie-Littlechief argued she acted in self-defence.
The jury started deliberating at noon Thursday and continued until about 10 p.m. that night. They returned before 9 a.m. Friday and announced the verdict shortly after 10:30 a.m.
Pinacie-Littlechief and members of her family hugged each other and defence lawyers Ian McKay and Heather Ferg and were eventually escorted out the side courthouse door under the watchful eye of court security and members of the city police. The family declined to speak to reporters, although one said it’s been a long three years for Pinacie-Littlechief and the family.
Shortly after, Crowe’s family emerged out the front doors, his mother physically supported by family members as they made their way down the steps and the sidewalk. One young man removed his jacket to reveal a T-shirt emblazoned with Crowe’s face on the front and a hashtag reading Justice4Justin on the back.
Both McKay and Crown prosecutor Mitchell Miller — each a seasoned lawyer — have seen explosive reactions to verdicts before and both expressed sympathy for Crowe’s loved ones.
“My thoughts are with the family and friends of Justin Crowe,” Miller said. “We have to remember that they have lost a loved one and it’s a very emotional time for them. And, also, I want to thank the jury because they did a very difficult and important civic duty and, again, we greatly appreciate their service.”
Due to safety concerns, McKay and Ferg were shuttled from the court by members of the Regina police and later spoke to reporters in a downtown Regina office.
“Our condolences go out to the Crowe family,” McKay said. “They’ve lost a loved one and it’s got to be very tough. However, this case has been very, very difficult on Tia. What happened that night and what’s happened since is something that no young girl should ever have to go through ... She has lost a big piece of her innocence that she’ll never get back and I’m just hoping that she’s going to be able to rebuild and move on.”
McKay said he hopes everyone on both sides of this case is able to heal with time.
Miller said the Crown’s office will look at the case to see whether it will consider filing an appeal.