Jury Deliberates Murder Case of Misha Pavelick After 17 Years

UPDATE: The jury has begun deliberations in the high-stakes murder trial of a man accused of killing Misha Pavelick nearly 20 years ago. The trial, presided over by King’s Bench Justice Catherine Dawson, has captivated the community as it investigates the events surrounding Pavelick’s fatal stabbing at the Kinookimaw campground, located about 45 kilometers northwest of Regina, on May 21, 2006.

As of 6:30 p.m. CST, the jury was still deliberating, weighing complex legal instructions that spanned nearly 200 pages. The defendant, who is now 36 years old, remains unnamed due to protections under the Youth Criminal Justice Act—he was just 17 at the time of the alleged crime.

Justice Dawson’s charge included a crucial Vetrovec warning regarding the reliability of testimony from five witnesses who were involved in altercations with Pavelick on that fateful night. These witnesses have faced scrutiny themselves, and Dawson emphasized their potential motives to obscure their involvement, which could impact the jury’s judgment.

The jury has two primary verdict options to consider. They can find the defendant guilty of second-degree murder if they believe he intended to kill Pavelick. Alternatively, they may opt for a lesser charge of manslaughter if they feel confident he caused Pavelick’s death but lacked intent, or if he was part of a group attack.

Dawson also instructed jurors to evaluate whether the accused acted in defense of others, citing an incident where his friend, Andrew Perkins, was struck with a bottle. The judge clarified that using deadly force cannot be justified simply as an act of revenge or settling scores.

As deliberations continue, the emotional weight of the case looms large. The death of Misha Pavelick remains a painful memory for many in the community, and a verdict is eagerly anticipated.

The jury will reconvene Thursday morning if they do not reach a decision by the end of the day. Stay tuned for further updates as this developing situation unfolds.