Damien Christopher Starrett was found guilty of killing his one-year-old son Ares Starrett and assaulting another child at a home in Fort Saskatchewan on November 23, 2019.
More than two dozen people gathered in the courtroom in Edmonton on Wednesday, a woman clutching a teddy bear to hear the verdict.
Starrett was charged with the murder of his one-year-old son Ares Starrett and the attack on another child at a home in Fort Saskatchewan on November 23, 2019.
As he provided a summary of his findings, the judge said the boy had been “hit, kicked, trampled in the head” and had died from multiple head injuries.
During a trial in March and April, Starett claimed that he was not criminally liable and that he was in a state of automatism when the attacks on the children took place.
The judge said about a year after the incident, Starett came out with a story that he had been “teleported and attacked by a shadow creature” and that he was trying to protect the children.
The judge said the story had evolved over time and was an attempt to “rationalize his behavior”.
The court heard that Staret had a long history of back pain, insomnia and the use of illegal drugs, including cocaine, Percocet, and that he had given up heroin at the time of the incident.
“He also admitted to using Percocet within hours of Ares’ death,” the judge said.
“He was experiencing other stressors, including financial and relationships.”
Although the judge said the evidence was useful for Staret’s understanding, the judge felt he was shocked by his situation and acted voluntarily.
“I do not accept Mr Staret’s statement that he was not aware of what was happening,” he said.
Starrett was found guilty of manslaughter and assault.
“I am pleased that the crown has proved beyond doubt that Mr Staret’s actions caused Ares’ death,” the judge said.
After the verdict and the judge left the courtroom, a man started shouting at Staret: “You are a coward, brother. What did you do to this little boy, “he said.
Starett’s bail was revoked pending sentencing.
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