BATTLEFORD - A judge-alone trial is underway at the Court of King's Bench in Battleford for a man accused in the death of Jason Chartier in 2018.
Robert Young, now 70, is facing charges of second-degree murder in the case.
During court on Oct. 16, 2024, the court heard from forensic pathologist Dr. Andreea Nistor who detailed the injuries found on Chartier's body.
She indicated Chartier died from blunt force trauma.
Among his injuries, were fractures to his skull, ribs, and tibia and fibula bones of his legs.
In particular, Chartier was found with "multiple impacts to the head."
"There is a lot of bleeding around the brain because of the head trauma," Nistor said.
Nistor also noted the patterns of some of Chartier's injuries. Two triangular-shaped lacerations were found on Chartier's leg.
The doctor stated that alcohol and THC were found in Chartier's system during the examination. She noted the alcohol wouldn't have caused his death and there is no study about the impact from the THC. But she said the alcohol in Chartier's system may make it difficult for him to defend himself in an attack.
At one point, Crown prosecutor Tony Gerein asked Nistor whether a metal pipe wrench with two protruding prongs on its head, as shown in a picture presented in court, could have caused some of the patterns in some of the injuries she saw.
"I'm not sure," she said. "It's possible. I can't say for sure."
Nistor added that the injuries broke the skin.
On Oct. 17, the accused, who is currently out of custody, will take the stand to testify for the Defence, as the trial continues.
Police previously reported RCMP found Chartier's body on Dec. 20, 2018, after receiving a call at approximately 1 p.m. about an injured and unconscious man in a shed behind a home in Buffalo Narrows. EMS declared Chartier, 42, deceased at the scene. Young was arrested by RCMP Major Crimes Unit without incident in Buffalo Narrows on Jan. 13, 2021.
- With files from Lisa Joy
