Man accused of helping Philip Pynn after 2011 shooting found not guilty

A man charged with being an accessory after the fact to manslaughter after a notorious fatal 2011 shooting in St. John's has been found not guilty.

At Supreme Court in St. John's Friday morning, Justice Donald Burrage said there was "reasonable doubt" about Jonathan Rowe's involvement.

"Very pleased with the verdict. I think the outcome was foreseen from the beginning. This is a prosecution thatshould never have happened in the first place," said Bob Buckingham, Rowe's lawyer.

"This was the equivalent of a genetically-modifiedprosecution."

Rowe was alleged to have helped PhilipPynn, who was charged with killing NickWinsorduring a botched robbery at a home on Portugal Cove Road.

In 2014, a jury foundPynnnot guilty of murder, but convicted him of manslaughter.

Buckingham said the not guilty decision for Rowe has been a long time coming.

"Mr. Rowe has been under stress and anxiety from the beginning of this. The pressure he has been under has been astronomical. He has had to go through fourlegal aid lawyers," he said.

• Philip Pynn guilty of manslaughter, Lyndon Butler acquitted on all counts

During trial, court was told that Winsor and Pynn had gone to the house together. During a struggle in the garagewith the owner, a shotgun Winsor had brought went off.

Pynn had pulled the shotgun from Winsor's pants.

Rowe was alleged to have helpedPynn after the shooting.

Three years ago, Rowe told CBCNews that all he had done was bring Pynn's lawyer, Averill Baker, to him.

Another man, Lyndon Butler, was also charged with Winsor's murder. Butler and Pynn weretried together.

Butler was found not guilty.