Steven Neville murder conviction overturned by top court, new trial ordered

Steven Neville, the Newfoundland man who was sent to prison for stabbing two men, has had his conviction overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada.

• Justices dismiss appeal of Steven Neville's murder conviction
• Neville not eligible for parole for 12 years

Neville's appeal to have hissecond-degree murder conviction overturned hadbeen dismissed bythe Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal in April.

However, Neville took his case to the Supreme Court of Canada, where Neville was granted a new trial on Thursday.

A jury found Neville guilty in 2013 of fatally stabbingDoug Flynn, 19, and theattempted murder of another man, Ryan Dwyer in 2010.

New trial

Earlier this year, Neville's lawyer, Derek Hogan,argued thatJustice Carl Thompson erred in instructing the jury.

Neville, who was sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 12 years, contended thatThompson's instructions to the jury to consider evidence related to the intent necessary for a murder conviction in comparison to manslaughter wasinsufficient.

Secondly, Neville said that Thompson didn't properly answer one of threequestionsthe jury asked while deliberating.

On April 10, two of three Newfoundland and Labrador justices dismissed the appeal.

On Thursday, five Supreme Court of Canada justices said Thompson's instructions to the jury on what provocation is was confusing.

Crown prosecutor Lloyd Stricklandtold CBC News, following the ruling, that they'll assess their options, but it's likely the prosecution will continue on with the case.