Verdict delivered in manslaughter trial of ping pong game turned deadly
The jury reached a decision just hours after starting deliberations in the trial of a man charged with manslaughter and assault after his uncle died following a ping pong game that turned violent.
The jury of seven women and five men found Anmol Saggu, 30, not guilty on both charges Thursday afternoon.
After the verdict was delivered, Saggu walked out of the Orangeville courthouse beside his lawyer, Peter Brauti.
"I'm just feeling thankful to the jury and thankful to Mr. Brauti. Still feeling sad for my uncle that he's not with us right now. I'm glad that everything is over," Saggu told CTV News.
During the two-week trial, the court heard a fight broke out in the early morning hours in November 2019 at a house in Mono, and shortly afterward, Taranjit Singh Osahan was dead.
Police arrested Saggu after learning he pushed his uncle during the fight, who minutes later collapsed and never regained consciousness.
Saggu testified his uncle got in his face, so he put his hands on his chest to make space between them. His cousin, he told the court, then punched him repeatedly in the face for laying his hands on the 50-year-old man.
The Crown suggested Saggu initiated the fight and that he was angry, frustrated and aggressive.
Meanwhile, a forensic expert who performed an autopsy on Taranjit told the court the deceased was at risk of "sudden death at any time" due to a severe long-standing heart problem.
Dr. Ashwyn Rajagopalan said several factors could have contributed to Taranjit's cardiac arrhythmia.
"This could have happened with minimal physical activity," he testified. "This could have happened in his sleep."
"Justice was done," said the defence lawyer. "Make no mistake, nobody is celebrating. My client lost his uncle. It's tragic, and he's just happy that he can move on."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada summons Chinese ambassador over high-altitude surveillance balloon
Canada announced that it had called China's ambassador onto the carpet as Ottawa and Washington expressed their disapproval Friday over a high-altitude balloon found to have been hovering over sensitive sites in the United States.
Liberals withdraw controversial amendment to guns bill
The federal Liberals are withdrawing an amendment to their guns bill that introduced a controversial new definition of an assault-style weapon. The amendment would have defined what kind of firearms should be banned in Canada and added dozens of new semi-automatic rifles and shotguns to the list.
Canadian COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer Medicago Inc. shutting down
Medicago Inc., the Quebec-based drug manufacturer of a Canadian COVID-19 vaccine and other plant-based drugs, is being shut down by parent company Mitsubishi Chemical Group.
White-tailed deer harbouring COVID-19 variants thought to be nearly extinct in humans: study
White-tailed deer may be a reservoir for COVID-19 variants of concern including Alpha, Delta and Gamma, according to new research out of Cornell University that raises questions about whether deer could re-introduce nearly extinct variants back into the human population.
Federal department fires 49 employees for claiming CERB while employed
A federal government department has fired 49 employees who received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit while they were employed.
BREAKING
BREAKING | First-year university student from northern Ontario wins $48M in lottery, making history
Canada's newest millionaire, an 18-year-old university freshman from northern Ontario, has achieved a lot of firsts with a recent lottery win. Here is her story.
'Bobi is special': Portuguese pooch breaks record for oldest living dog ever
A Portuguese dog named Bobi has been named the world’s oldest living dog by Guinness World Records, which claims the pooch is also the oldest canine ever recorded.
Airlines ask Supreme Court to hear case on passenger bill of rights
A group of airlines is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to hear their case after a lower court largely upheld the validity of Canada's air passenger bill of rights.
Prominent Quebecers plead for federal anti-Islamophobia rep to be given a chance
A letter of support signed by 30 prominent Quebecers, including academics, activists, and community leaders, is asking that Amira Elghawaby be given the chance to fulfil her mandate as Canada's first special representative on combating Islamophobia.
Atlantic
-
Warming centres open as the Maritimes prepare for blast of cold weather
With frigid temperatures in the forecast, Environment Canada has issued extreme cold warnings for all three Maritime provinces.
-
Extreme cold warnings issued for all three Maritime provinces
Extreme cold warnings are in effect in all three Maritime provinces, cautioning that the coldest air of the season is about to arrive in the region.
-
Youth assaulted, taken to hospital following Moncton soccer game: N.B. RCMP
Police in Moncton, N.B., are investigating an assault after a youth soccer game last weekend.
Montreal
-
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller steps down from tech company after allegations
A reclusive billionaire who headed a Montreal tech company is stepping down one day after Radio-Canada/CBC published a report that alleged he paid teenage girls for sex for more than a decade.
-
5-alarm fire blazing in east Montreal building, 2 police officers suffer smoke inhalation
The Montreal fire department is advising people to avoid Sherbrooke Street East at Carignan Avenue in the Longue Pointe neighbourhood as a five-alarm fire is burning.
-
EXTREME COLD
EXTREME COLD | Hydro-Quebec asks customers to reduce electricity consumption during cold snap
Hydro-Québec is asking its customers to take a few steps to reduce electricity consumption in Quebec as a period of intense cold weather began Thursday night in most regions. The utility predicts that on Friday and Saturday, electricity demand could exceed the historical peak consumption, which was about 40,500 megawatts (MW) in January 2022.
Ottawa
-
Federal department fires 49 employees for claiming CERB while employed
A federal government department has fired 49 employees who received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit while they were employed.
-
Winterlude cancels all outdoor activities due to extreme cold
Winterlude kicked off in Ottawa and Gatineau on Friday, but the extreme cold weather conditions forced the cancellation of all outdoor events on opening day.
-
EXTREME COLD WARNING
EXTREME COLD WARNING | Deep freeze hits Ottawa, wind chill drops below -40
Ottawa and eastern Ontario residents woke up to dangerously cold temperatures on Friday, with the wind chill making it feel colder than -40.
Toronto
-
Police identify man wanted for manslaughter charge in death of former CBC journalist
The death of a longtime CBC journalist who was shoved to the ground in Toronto has now been classified as a homicide and police have issued an arrest warrant for a suspect in the case.
-
Dramatic video captures 3 people entering Scotiabank during alleged armed robbery
Helicopter video has captured the dramatic moment three people allegedly entered a Scotiabank east of Toronto during an armed robbery before being swarmed by police as they tried to escape.
-
Owner of popular restaurant north of Toronto 'surprised' by visit from Ryan Reynolds
The owner of a popular Italian restaurant north of Toronto said she was “super excited and surprised” when Canadian superstar Ryan Reynolds dropped in for a meal this week.
Kitchener
-
UPDATED
UPDATED | Multiple people arrested, one injured in reported armed robbery at Conestoga Mall
Police say they’ve arrested three people and one person was taken to hospital following an armed robbery at Conestoga Mall on Thursday.
-
Warming centre hours extended as extreme cold sweeps through region
Waterloo Region residents are braving the elements as a blast of cold Arctic air sweeps through much of southwestern Ontario.
-
Cities urge residents to report coyote sightings
Coyote sightings are not unusual, but some Ontario communities are asking residents to report them as mating season gets underway. Here's what to do if you spot an animal near your neighbourhood.
London
-
Bus cancellations and road conditions
Extreme cold and snow squall warnings are impacting roads and school bus operations in the region, and multiple area roads and highways have been closed by OPP due to hazardous driving conditions.
-
Fire rips through home on Adelaide Street North
London, Ont. firefighters faced challenges on two fronts as they battled a blaze on Adelaide Street North early Friday morning. The first challenge was the snow and freezing overnight temperatures.
-
Public asked to avoid area due to 'active police investigation' in Woodstock
The public is being asked to avoid the area of Mill Street in Woodstock, Ont. on Friday afternoon due to an 'active police investigation.'
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | First-year university student from northern Ontario wins $48M in lottery, making history
Canada's newest millionaire, an 18-year-old university freshman from northern Ontario, has achieved a lot of firsts with a recent lottery win. Here is her story.
-
Four Americans, two Canadians fined $50K for illegal moose hunting in northern Ont.
An investigation that lasted almost two years has resulted in moose hunting violation convictions for six people and a lodge in Red Lake in northwestern Ontario.
-
Noelville man dies following Jan. 16 school bus collision
The driver of the motor vehicle that struck a school bus Jan. 16 has succumbed to their injuries.
Windsor
-
-
Two men charged, one still outstanding after break-in and assault
Chatham-Kent police have arrested two men and are still looking for a third man after a break-in and assault.
-
Red light video warns Windsor drivers of the rules
Windsor police are reminding drivers of the law surrounding red lights.
Calgary
-
Calgary police seek assistance identifying suspect in casino heist
Calgary police are seeking public assistance identifying a man suspected of being responsible for a casino robbery that took place Tuesday night in southeast Calgary.
-
Calgary massage therapist charged with sexual assault
Officers were called to Rhema Gold Physiotherapy on Jan. 28 after the victim reported the assault to staff.
-
Post secondary schools must report on free speech efforts on campus, minister says
The Alberta government says it will require post-secondary institutions to report annually on their efforts to protect free speech on campus.
Saskatoon
-
'This makes it harder': Dundurn, Sask. firefighter loses home in fire
The community of Dundurn is rallying behind a firefighter who lost her home in a fire.
-
BHP recruiting hundreds of workers to build Saskatchewan's largest potash mine
BHP is moving forward with its plans to build the world's largest potash mine.
-
Investigators hope photo of car will lead to answers in fatal police Prince Albert police shooting
Saskatchewan’s Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is searching for a woman who may have witnessed a fatal, officer-involved shooting.
Edmonton
-
Car thief pulled firearm when approached by owner: police
Police are trying to identify the male who pulled out a firearm in a vehicle theft in southeast Edmonton in December.
-
11 'malnourished and neglected' dogs seized from Sherwood Park home: RCMP
Eleven dogs have been seized from a Sherwood Park home, and an Edmonton man is facing charges.
-
Liberals withdraw controversial amendment to guns bill
The federal Liberals are withdrawing an amendment to their guns bill that introduced a controversial new definition of an assault-style weapon. The amendment would have defined what kind of firearms should be banned in Canada and added dozens of new semi-automatic rifles and shotguns to the list.
Vancouver
-
Fatal shooting of Burnaby teen may be connected to Surrey vehicle fire: IHIT
Homicide investigators are looking into whether a vehicle fire in Surrey on Thursday morning is connected to the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Burnaby hours later.
-
Global ocean conservation conference in B.C. hopes to build on Montreal agreements
Federal politicians are expected to make a significant announcement on ocean protection during an international conference in Vancouver on how to take action on promises to protect the marine world made at recent global environment meetings.
-
Suspects sought after Good Samaritan stabbed while helping homeless man: Vancouver police
Police are investigating after a Good Samaritan was allegedly stabbed after he tried to help a man experiencing homelessness in downtown Vancouver last month.