Colten McNeely will have to wait two more months to learn his fate.
McNeely, from the Sahtu community of Fort Good Hope, is charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Lloyd Edgi in September of 2017.
The 26-year old McNeely was to get a verdict from the judge on Wednesday of this week.
However, McNeely’s lawyer Peter Harte tells CKLB that the judge has been called away for a family emergency.
Because of that, McNeely will have to wait until January 28th to learn the judge’s decision on his innocence or guilt.
Second-degree murder carries a minimum sentence of life in prison with no parole eligibility for at least 10 years.
Harte argued that McNeely was acting in self-defence when he stabbed Edgi in the chest.
Court heard the stabbing occurred about 10 minutes after the taller and heavier Edgi had assaulted the slightly-built McNeely in a jealous fit of anger.
Lloyd Edgi from his Facebook page
McNeely testified he had no memory of stabbing Edgi due to alcohol intoxication.
The Crown prosecutor in the case rejected the self-defence theory pointing out to the court that Edgi was stabbed more than once including one wound directly to the heart.
The court has ordered McNeely to turn himself in to RCMP in Yellowknife the day before the verdict is announced.
He will then remain in custody at least until the verdict is released.
