Craig Pope found guilty of second-degree murder
Craig Pope was led away in handcuffs at the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court Friday, after he was found guilty for the second-degree murder of Jonathan Collins. (Elizabeth Whitten/CBC)
A jury has found Craig Pope guilty of second-degree murder in the 2017 stabbing death of Jonathan Collins.
This was the second time the 38-year-old from St. John's stood trial for the murder charge, after winning a new trial from the Supreme Court of Canada last year.
The jury determined that Pope killed 36-year-old Collins on Sept. 17, 2017. Collins suffered a single stab wound after an altercation near Mundy Pond Road.
"I think it's a tremendous relief for the family," said Crown prosecutor Kathleen O'Reilly, speaking to reporters outside the courthouse after the verdict was announced Friday evening.
"They've been through a lot over the past six years."
Shawn Patten, left, and Kathleen O'Reilly, both Crown prosecutors in Craig Pope's second trial, say they are pleased with the verdict. (Elizabeth Whitten/CBC)
O'Reilly said there was a "substantial" amount of evidence to ground the conviction, despite the difficulties of having to wait for a second trial.
When the guilty verdict was read out, the victim's family cheered, while in the back row of the court, a woman burst into tears.
Pope, in an outburst after the verdict, roundly rejected the decision. "You're putting an innocent man in jail," he said.
The Collins family issued a statement on Friday night, asking for privacy as the family begins to grieve its loss.
"We are relieved with the verdict today. Jonathan's life mattered and after six long heart-breaking years our family can finally start grieving the loss of Jonathan in peace," the statement read. "We would also like to sincerely thank Victim Services, the RNC, the judge, the jury, the sheriff's officers, the witnesses and also our family and friends for all their love and support over the past six years."
Jonathan's father, David, died unexpectedly in June.
He knew 'full well' what he was doing: Crown
Throughout the trial, witnesses testified that Pope and Collins had spent the day together in the back of a cab the day Collins died, making about a dozen stops around the metro St. John's region.
Witnesses say an altercation broke out at one point over $60 in cash involved in the sale of a TV.
The taxi driver, Jeff Cromwell, testified Collins was lying on his back in the rear seats of the cab and kicking his feet at Pope. He then sprang out of the car and the two began to fight.
A few moments later, Collins collapsed to the ground.
Cromwell, the taxi driver, said Pope then returned to the car and appeared calm.
"It's at this point, Craig Pope says to Jeff Cromwell, 'Run him over,'" said prosecutor Kathleen O'Reilly.
"These are the words of a man who knew full well what he was doing."
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