Gail White (Submitted Photo)
A 41-year-old Greater Napanee man has been found guilty of second degree murder.
John Masson White had been facing a first degree murder charge.
The 12 member jury in the trial came back with the verdict shortly before noon on Thursday.
The verdict carries a sentence of life in prison with parole eligibility after 10 years.
It took jury members less than a full day to reach their decision at the County of Lennox and Addington building in Napanee.
The trial was in its fourth week.
Families on both sides of the courtroom were somber as they heard the verdict read by the foreman.
Defence attorney Christopher Hicks says the verdict was a win for his client. He said they were hoping for manslaughter but any time there is the use of a firearm it is problematic.
He continued on to say it was a very fair trial and that the jury was conscientious and excellent representatives of the community.
John was accused of shooting his 56-year-old stepmother, Gail Doreen White, on April 16, 2016 in her Roslin home in Tyendinaga Township.
She was killed by a single gunshot to the head at a distance of no more than 30 cms.
Crown attorney Monica Heine had no comment following the ruling. When asked if she would be appealing the decision she stated that it was not her decision to make.
In a statement, the family says Gail White “was an amazing person and today justice was served. Even though it wasn’t the verdict many of us were hoping for; he still got life in prison. Unfortunately nothing will bring her back.”
Judge Graeme Mew has set a sentencing date of Friday at 10 a.m.
