Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Following two weeks of proceedings, the jury’s verdict handed down Friday found Jackson, 55, withheld his then 7-year-old daughter from her mother in late 2021 to early 2022. Police eventually found the pair in Vernon, B.C.
There were 14 jury members selected to hear the two week long case. Prior to deliberations on Friday morning, two members were randomly removed.
“I am the judge of the law,” Justice Heather MacMillian-Brown told the jury on Friday morning. “You are the judge of the facts. It is your duty to judge what the facts are.”
Justice MacMillian-Brown summarized evidence that was presented over the course of the trial and also reiterated advice she gave the jury over the course of the last two weeks.
“The torch now passes to you to decide a verdict based on the evidence in its entirety.” she said before releasing the jury to deliberate.
The jury was sequestered until their final verdict was reached.
The 12 members of the jury took just two and a half hours to reach their unanimous verdict.
Despite the guilty verdict, Jackson’s bail conditions allow him to remain out of custody.
A date for his sentencing will be decided later.
— This is a breaking news update, more details to come as they become available…