Accused killer Steven Neville released from custody on bail
Ariana Kelland and Glenn Payette | CBC News | Posted: April 8, 2016 12:40 PM | Last Updated: April 8, 2016
Steven Neville, the Paradise man who had his murder conviction overturned by Canada's top court last year, has been released on bail.
Justice Donald Burrage came down with the decision on Friday morning at Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court in St. John's.
Some spectators left the courtroom visibly upset, as Burrage granted Neville bail.
He was released from the St. John's lockup at 12:30 p.m.
Neville, 25, is again facing charges of second-degree murder in the death of Doug Flynn, 19, and the attempted murder of Ryan Dwyer in 2010.
Flynn died of a stab wound to his head, after an altercation took place on Carlisle Drive in Paradise.
The Supreme Court of Canada overturned Neville's murder conviction in November 2015, after the same appeal was dismissed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal seven months earlier.
$20K bail
Neville, who had been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 12 years, contended that Justice Carl Thompson's instructions to the jury — to consider evidence related to the intent necessary for a murder conviction in comparison to manslaughter — was insufficient.
Secondly, Neville said that Thompson didn't properly answer one of three questions the jury asked while deliberating.
Justices with the Supreme Court of Canada agreed and ordered a new trial.
As part of his bail conditions, Neville must stay in the province, and abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs. He is also not allowed to be in possession of weapons.
He will not be allowed to contact 34 people, including alleged victim Ryan Dwyer and other witnesses from his first trial, which took place in late 2012 and early 2013.
Burrage told Neville that if he runs into anyone on the no-contact list, he should turn and walk away.
He must also report to the RNC on Mondays, live at his parents' home in Paradise, and obey a curfew from 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. daily.
Neville's family put up $20,000 in bail.
Neville is scheduled to return to court on May 2, when a date will be set for his new trial.
He is being represented by Jeff Brace and Mark Gruchy.