Colin Tweedie was driving an SUV that killed Talia Forrest in July 2019. He was later charged with dangerously operating a motor vehicle that caused death, driving failure causing death and failure to stop in a fatal accident. He was acquitted of all three charges on Friday.
Following the reading of the verdict, a brief altercation broke out in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in Sydney, with a man running to the witness box. Talia Forrest’s grandfather was walked out of the courtroom by sheriff deputies and led out of the building.
In its ruling, Judge Mona Lynch said Crown’s lawyers did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Tweedie drove the vehicle while in trouble or recklessly. The court also heard testimony that it was dark at the time of the collision and Tweedie believed he had been struck by a deer.
A relative of Talia Forrest leaves the room after the verdict. (Matthew Moore / CBC)
He cited issues with evidence from the young girl who saw the conflict, saying that “her inability to understand or put things together is understandable, but it significantly undermines her credibility.”
Justice Lynch also said that Crown did not prove that Tweedie had consumed a beer within 30 minutes of the collision. Police officers testified during the trial that they noticed signs of disability and the illustrated items showed a series of empty beer cans and bottles in Tweedie’s Nissan Xterra.
Talia’s sister Samantha Williams (left) and cousin Taylor Williams (right) say the family hopes to appeal the decision. (Matthew Moore / CBC)
“I’m cracked,” said Samantha Williams, Talia Forrest ‘s sister. “We just spent 2 years fighting for justice for my little sister and we are not succeeding. I could not be more sad about the decision.”
Crown’s lawyer Nicole Campbell said she would look for reasons to appeal the ruling.
Defense attorney Tony Mozwick said he was pleased the emotions in the case did not affect the judge’s decision. He and the judge were accompanied by police officers from the courthouse.
Tweedie and his family walked away from the sheriff’s deputies as supporters of the Forrest family gathered at each entrance to the building. Emotions erupted as some shouted and chased the vehicle.
Footage provided by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court shows Colin Twindy in a police cruiser giving police details of the July 2019 clash. (Court video)
“We will definitely continue to fight for her justice because she deserves it,” said Taylor Williams, a cousin of Talia Forrest. “She would like us to continue to fight for her justice.”
In February, Tweedie pleaded guilty to an additional charge of obstructing police. The obstruction charge was filed after Tweedie was accused of lying to police that he was not driving his vehicle the day Forrest was hit. He told police his girlfriend was driving.
The sentence for this category will be held on June 3, 2022.
