Alberta man found not guilty of manslaughter in death of suspected thief

A jury has found a central Alberta man not guilty in the death of a suspected thief following a late night highway pursuit.

Daniel Newsham had been charged with manslaughter in the August 2016 crash death of Stanley Dick.

Court heard that Newsham started chasing Dick after finding the man near his work compound in Delburne.

Newsham continued chasing Dick in his pickup even after RCMP warned him not to pursue.

Dick crashed his truck and then stole another as the chase continued on Highway 42. The two vehicles then touched and Dick's crashed, and he died later of his injuries.

Regrets death

The case focused on whether Newsham's driving behaviour caused Dick's death, or whether Dick died as a result of his own actions.

Balfour Der, Newsham's lawyer, said his client is relieved with the verdict.

"All of the eyewitnesses, including an independent person, agreed with the version that Mr. Newsham said had happened that it was his vehicle that was cut off by the deceased," Der said Tuesday outside of court.

Der said Newsham regrets that Dick died as a result of what happened that night.