Second degree murder charges against two Sackville men in the stabbing death of Shawn Mitton on March 16 have been withdrawn, and replaced with a single charge of manslaughter.
Tyler Murphy and Dylan Murphy appeared in Moncton provincial court on Wednesday morning with members of Shawn Mitton’s family present in court. Prosecutor Denis Sawyer withdrew the charge against 22-year-old Tyler Murphy, and replaced it with a charge of manslaughter. Murphy will remain in custody and return to court in six weeks time, on May 13, to allow time for the crown to release disclosure and for his lawyer to review it.
The charge against Dylan Murphy was withdrawn, and the 20-year-old was released.
Manslaughter is a homicide committed without intent to kill, through either unlawful act or criminal negligence. It carries no minimum sentence, unless committed with a firearm.
Shawn Mitton was found by police on March 16 shortly after 7:45pm, lying on the side of Lorne Street in Sackville suffering from apparent stab wounds. The 44-year-old father of four was transported to hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.
‘A family man’
According to his obituary, Mitton was “a family man who loved spending time with his sons. Whatever his sons were involved in, he was in 100%, announcing at their hockey games, outings in the woods, or enjoying an impromptu meal over a campfire.”
Mitton had recently moved his new upholstery business into a space on Main Street in Sackville, and was seeing considerable success and community support.
He leaves behind four sons, his life partner, and a number of family and friends.
‘Times of Remembrance’ are being held on Wednesday, March 27 from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm at Jones Funeral Home in Sackville. Burial will take place in the Sackville Cemetery at a later date.
