Law360 Canada ( November 19, 2025, 9:39 AM EST) -- Appeal by Crown against manslaughter acquittal. Stalthanee was charged with manslaughter in the death of Mr. Cook. The trial judge concluded that Stalthanee struck Mr. Cook on the head with a metal object while they were both intoxicated, thereby causing a depressed skull fracture. This in turn resulted in an epidural hematoma, a buildup of blood between the skull and the outside membrane of the brain, which put pressure on the brain. However, because the trial judge was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the unlawful act was the cause of Mr. Cook’s death, he acquitted Stalthanee of manslaughter and convicted him of the lesser included offence of aggravated assault. On appeal, the Crown contended the trial judge’s conclusion respecting causation was flawed because he applied the wrong legal test and speculated about whether there was another plausible explanation for Mr.Cook’s death....