Darryl Sheepway found guilty of second degree murder - Action News
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Darryl Sheepway found guilty of second degree murder

Sheepway admitted to shooting Christopher Brisson to death in Whitehorse in 2015. He was tried for first degree murder, but a Yukon Supreme Court justice found him guilty of the lesser charge.

Sheepway shot and killed Christopher Brisson in Whitehorse in 2015

At his trial last year, Darryl Sheepway, pictured here, admitted to killing Christopher Brisson, but pleaded not guilty to first degree murder. On Tuesday, a Yukon Supreme Court justice found him guilty of second degree murder. (Yukon News)

Darryl Sheepway, who was charged and tried for first degree murder in the 2015 death of Christopher Brissonin Whitehorse, has been found guilty of the lesser charge of second degree murder.

Yukon Supreme Court Justice Leigh Gowerdelivered his verdict in aWhitehorse courtroom on Tuesday afternoon.

At his trial late last year, Sheepway admittedthat he shot and killed Brisson during a drug deal, but pleaded not guilty tofirst degree murder. Sheepway saidhe was high on drugs at the time and did not intend to kill Brisson.

Brisson was reported missing in August 2015. His body was found a few days later in Miles Canyon. (Facebook)

Gowersaid a first degree murder conviction relied on Sheepway'sintent to kill Brisson. He found that the Crownhad not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Sheepwayhad planned or intended to kill Brisson.

He ruled that Sheepway was therefore not guilty of first degree murder.

But,Gower also found that the evidence suggested Sheepwaywas thinking clearly before and after the shootingand that he purposely shot at Brisson's truck during theconfrontation.

He ruled that the Crown had proven second degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt.

Brisson's family was in the courtroom for the verdict.

RockBrisson, Christopher's father, sat through many days of testimony and is glad the trial is over.

"It's tough, but at least I know what happened, and the biggest thing I know my son didn't suffer, that's the main thing," said Brisson.

Rock Brisson says with the trial ending his family can now begin to move on. (Dave Croft/CBC)

"It's not the first degree murder, but second degree," he said.

"I'm okay with that, at least it's going to an end and at least everybody, my daughters and mewe can move on with our life."

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled on Feb. 6.

With files from Dave Croft