Cansanay convicted in Haiart killing

A Winnipeg jury has convicted 24-year-old Jeffrey Cansanay of second-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of an innocent bystander nearly five years ago.

Cansanay has been on trial since March 18 for the murder of Phil Haiart, 17. Haiart died of a gunshot wound to the stomach after he was shot near the intersection of Sargent Avenue and Maryland Street on the night of Oct. 10, 2005.

The Crown's case was built around the theory that Cansanay fired shots at rival gang members as part of a turf war over the crack cocaine trade in the city's West End.

Haiart was caught in the crossfire.

Jurors deliberated from 4:40 p.m. CT Wednesday until returning with a unanimous verdict at 8:50 p.m. Thursday.

More to come