The Canadian Press reports charges have been withdrawn against a Lindsay man accused of assaulting an alleged intruder in his apartment last August.
Jeremy David McDonald had been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon following an early morning altercation on Aug. 18 in Lindsay. Kawartha Lakes police said at the time that McDonald woke up to find an intruder inside his apartment and that a confrontation left the alleged intruder seriously injured and requiring hospitalization.
The intruder, identified as Michael Kyle Breen, was charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, break and enter, theft, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with probation. Police alleged Breen was carrying a crossbow during the break in.
The case attracted significant public and political attention, including comments from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who said the decision to charge the apartment resident showed “something is broken.”
In a Lindsay courtroom Thursday, the Crown said police had reasonable and probable grounds to arrest and charge McDonald at the time. However, after reviewing additional evidence, prosecutors concluded there is evidence supporting a claim of self defence under the Criminal Code.
The Crown told the court that in the specific circumstances of the case, there is no longer a reasonable prospect of conviction.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)