On Tuesday, Superior Court Justice Rita-Jean Maxwell found the 29-year-old man guilty of second-degree murder. In coming to her decision following a protracted judge-alone trial — delayed years to allow for mental health assessments and expert testimony — Maxwell rejected MacDonald’s argument that he was not criminally responsible due to a brief psychotic episode at the time he killed 38-year-old Sarah Vermelhudo with a folding pocket knife.
Jacques Gallant is a Toronto-based reporter covering courts,justice and legal affairs for the Star. Reach him by emailat [email protected] orfollow him on Twitter: @JacquesGallant
More from The Star & partners
Please log in to use this feature
Log In or Sign Up
![5 people rescued from avalanche west of Pemberton - BC [Video]](https://canadanewsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mp_700735_0_2022040810048625041c6543463053b621a46jpegjpg.jpg)
![Beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo forced to close for months following fire [Video]](https://canadanewsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mp_700263_0_ericanikolaus171560911734982234477jpg.jpg)
![Model train collectors share Edmontons history using 3D-printed buildings [Video]](https://canadanewsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mp_699706_0_EdmontonModelTrainjpg.jpg)
![Durham cop hospitalized after fentanyl exposure: police [Video]](https://canadanewsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mp_700245_0_durhamregionalpoliceservice171558501734973008999jpg.jpg)
