A collection of toys and gifts left outside the Rivercrest Apartment building in March, 2019. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court Proceedings

Toddler death case skips preliminary hearing

Mar 27, 2020 | 8:00 AM

The court case surrounding a young boy’s death at a Prince Albert apartment building has been committed for trial.

Kelvin McCallum Jr, 30, is facing a charge of manslaughter in connection to the death of his 21-month-old son in March, 2019. The child was found unresponsive at a downtown apartment building and was later pronounced deceased in hospital.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for this week, but lawyers decided there was enough evidence to proceed straight to trial at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. No dates have been set.

At the time of the incident, McCallum was facing a charge of second degree murder, but after analyzing the evidence, lawyers felt the lesser charge was a better fit.

“Baby Kal”. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

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The essential difference between the two charges is a person committing second degree murder, while not premeditated, has full understanding of their actions when they kill someone. Manslaughter implies the death was more of an accident, and may have been fueled by emotions or impulse.

McCallum, who has been in custody since the incident, has not yet entered a plea and so there is still a possibility the trial may not go ahead.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell