Nain man convicted of manslaughter for girlfriend's death
CBC News
Posted: Feb 12, 2012 9:42 AM NT
Last Updated: Feb 12, 2012 3:49 PM NT
A Nain man has been convicted of manslaughter for killing his girlfriend two years ago.
Lucas Julius Abel, 27, who was originally charged with second-degree murder following the death of Kimberly Jararuse, was found guilty by a jury on Saturday.
Jararuse was found dead on Abel's bedroom floor in Nain in Jan. 2010.
Lucas Abel is escorted to court in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in January. (CBC)She and Abel were in a relationship that his lawyers described in court as mutually abusive and dysfunctional.
The Crown called more than 20 witnesses, including RCMP officers, members of Abel's family and two pathologists, during the trial.
Tommy Tuglavina, Abel's brother, testified that he heard wrestling coming from Abel's room around 4 a.m. He said the commotion lasted for 10 to 15 minutes and then the room fell silent.
About 12 hours passed before police found Jararuse's body lying on a blanket on Abel's floor. A blood-stained pillow was nearby.
The body of Kimberly Jararuse, 20, was found on in Nain in January 2010. (CBC)RCMP Const. John McBride testified in late January that Abel was curled up in a fetal position on his bed.
The province's Chief Medical Examiner said the cause of Jararuse's death was undetermined. The autopsy showed her injuries were consistent with — but not exclusive to — smothering.
Neither the Crown nor defence lawyers would comment on the case.
The lawyers hope Abel will be sentenced at a hearing in Nain before March.
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