A jury has found Adam Cyr guilty of second-degree murder in the beating death of a toddler in Regina more than two years ago.
After deliberating for several hours, the jury of three men and nine women delivered its verdict Thursday morning at Court of Queen’s Bench.
Cyr, 34, was charged in the death of two-year-old Natalia Shingoose, who was found dead at a home in the 600 block of Garnet Street in June 2012.
The trial heard the little girl was beaten so badly that her broken ribs lacerated one of her lungs and liver. She died of internal bleeding.
The Crown argued that Cyr beat the girl to death while her mother, Amanda Trevors, was at work and he was looking after the child.
However, the defence argued Trevors and a family friend framed Cyr for the murder. Lawyer Bob Hrycan suggested Trevors was involved in drug trafficking and people who filtered in and out of the house could have committed the crime.
Hrycan said his client plans to file a notice of appeal on May 1, when a sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin.
"I maintain his innocence," Hrycan said. "I maintain that no reasonable jury properly instructed could convict on the evidence that was offered by the Crown."
Trevors cried out in joy when the verdict was read and shouted out a thank you as the jury was dismissed.
"Now we just have to wait for the sentencing, and hoping for 20 years for what he took from us," she told reporters outside the courthouse. "Natalia got her justice."
With files from The Canadian Press
