On charges of criminal negligence causing death,\u00a0Jean-Claude Savoie’s trial goes into week 2. \u00a0Some background on the case:<\/p>\n
The victims, Connor Barthe, 6, and Noah Barthe 4, were killed by a python on Aug. 5, 2013;\u00a0were at a sleepover in Savoie’s apartment; the python killed them by asphyxiation.<\/p>\n
Savoie,\u00a0operated Reptile Ocean, an unlicensed zoo and pet store;\u00a0Mandy Trecartin and her two boys were his next door neighbors;\u00a0Trecartin testified he was her best friend.<\/p>\n
The Canadian Wildlife Service turned a juvenile African rock python over to Savoie in 2002 after taking possession of it in Saint John.<\/p>\n
Dr. James Goltz, a veterinary pathologist, performed a\u00a0necropsy on the python:<\/p>\n
Constable\u00a0Eric Maillet testified that after the python was put back in the enclosure, it rose straight up in the air, hissed and lunged at the Plexiglas wall between them with its jaws open several times. \u00a0Ocean Eagles, a volunteer at the pet store, testified it was normal behavior as the\u00a0python did that\u00a0routinely.<\/p>\n
A ventilation cover was missing from an air duct\u00a0above the snake’s enclosure. \u00a0Eagles testified:\u00a0“it was always on the floor” and she thought it needed to be secured. \u00a0 The boyfriend of Trecartin, testified he saw the vent cap on the floor at least once but neither thought much of its creating a possible escape route for the python.<\/p>\n
Savoie is charged with two counts of criminal negligence causing death – carrying a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life.<\/p>\n
A jury of seven women and four men is hearing the case. \u00a0A female juror was discharged by the judge\u00a0on Friday from recommendations of both the defense and the Crown. \u00a0No reason was given for the discharge of the juror.<\/p>\n
The judge\u00a0told the jury to expect closing arguments in the case Wednesday morning. \u00a0They will be sequestered until they reach a verdict.<\/p>\n
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