3 men found not guilty of murder in Isho Hana Saskatoon historical homicide

A Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench judge ruled this morning that Kenneth Tingle, Jonathan Dombowsky and Long Nam Luu are not guiltyof first-degree murder in the 2004 shooting death of Isho Hana.

Hanawas chased down and fatally shot on Preston Avenue on April 15, 2004. Four men were eventually charged with his murder.

A finding of not guilty is not equivalent to a determination of innocence.- Justice RichardDanyliuk

The fourth accused, NeilYakimchuk, is getting a new trial. He was convicted of first-degree murder, but that jury verdict was overturned on appeal.

A publication ban connected to theupcoming trialprevents a full airing of why Justice RichardDanyliukdecidedthe three are not guilty.

But he did allow this.

"I do want to ensure there is no misapprehension as to the meaning of this verdict and the reasons for this verdict," he wrote in his judgement.

"A finding of not guilty is not equivalent to a determination of innocence. It should not be seen as any sort of approval or endorsement of the actions or behaviour of any person involved, including the accused."

Rather, Danyliuk said the verdict reflects that the crime alleged was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The appeal court decided the trial judge had improperly instructed the jury inYakimchuk's trial.

• Neil Yakimchuk appeals conviction in Isho Hana murder

No trial date yet been set.