A Montreal man accused of second-degree homicide in Nova Scotia almost 5 years in the past is now strolling free.
Valdo Pauyo was going through a possible life sentence for the capturing of Bert Knockwood in Millbrook First Nation in July 2021.
However at a last-minute listening to on Friday, Crown prosecutors withdrew the cost, citing inadequate proof.
“The Crown had decided as of this week that we had no cheap prospect of conviction shifting ahead,” defined Nova Scotia Crown lawyer Cory Roberts. “So, we withdrew the cost, and the trial dates are vacated.”
Earlier than Knockwood’s demise, Pauyo and Knockwood appeared to have been pals.
The 2 present up steadily in Knockwood’s outdated Fb posts, wherein he referred to Pauyo as “one in all his favorite folks,” and the Mi’kmaw phrase for “youthful brother.”
On July 12, 2021, RCMP had been referred to as to a house on Glooscap Dr. in Millbrook First Nation for a report of a sudden demise. They discovered Knockwood and dominated his demise suspicious. It was later deemed a murder, and Pauyo was named because the prime suspect within the case.
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Police issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Pauyo, who had left for Montreal shortly after Knockwood’s demise.
Pauyo appeared on the RCMP’s nationwide ‘most needed’ checklist earlier than his arrest in April 2024.
In accordance with his defence counsel, Xavier Desrosiers and Carl Devost, Pauyo is comfortable to have all the ordeal behind him, and added they approve of the Crown’s resolution.
However those that had been near Knockwood are involved their buddy gained’t get the justice he deserves, calling Friday’s listening to “a slap within the face.”
In a Fb put up, Knockwood’s longtime buddy Brian Pelrine says, “Realizing the person who took his [Knockwood’s] life walks free at this time is a special sort of damage,” and proof of a “flawed” justice system.
The Nova Scotia DJ described his and Knockwood’s bond as “as near brotherly as you would get” and stated Knockwood was the one who gifted him his first set of turntables, launching his music profession.
In Knockwood’s obituary, his household and pals described him as a “whirlwind of affection” with a ardour for music, films and his tradition, and stated he would give the shirt off his again if it meant serving to somebody he cared for.
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