A Barrie jury has found nurse Joanna Flynn not guilty of manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death for removing a patient from life-support.
Deanna Leblanc had been rushed to Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland on the morning of March 2, 2014 just two days after undergoing knee surgery in Newmarket.
The mother of two had to be resuscitated several times and was placed on life support in the intensive care unit.
There was no issue at trial whether Flynn was the one who removed Leblanc from a ventilator.
But the crown argued Flynn overstepped her role, should have obtained a doctor's order and coerced Leblanc's husband for consent.
The defence argued Flynn did not commit a criminal act because she had the informed consent of Leblanc’s husband.
The jury deliberated for about two days before reaching its verdict Thursday morning.
Flynn left the courthouse with her lawyer at her side to a waiting car driven by her husband.
A crowd of supporters attended court to offer her support throughout the proceedings.
"Relief. Nervousness," said Flynn outside court of how she was feeling following her acquittal.
"Just want to spend some time with my family and friends and relax a little bit I guess."
Her lawyer Samantha Peeris read a prepared statement on Flynn's behalf in which she thanked the jury for rendering a 'just verdict' and called it 'a tragic case for all concerned.'
"Joanna Flynn is a well-respected, diligent registered nurse who has spent her entire professional career advocating for her patients," read lawyer Peeris. "As a health care professional, she was devastated by the accusations made against her. She has coped over the past three years only because of the tremendous support shes had from her family, colleagues and friends. The criminal charges are now behind her and hopefully she can move forward."
Leblanc's family, including her husband, mother and siblings were in court for the verdict and expressed disappointment at the jury's decision.
Leblanc's mother Darlene Smith said she felt sadness.
"It is what it is. It's just very disappointing. It doesn't seem fair," Smith said.
The grieving mother said the trial was rough and like reliving her loss every day.
Through tears, Smith said she misses her 'awesome, talented' daughter.
"We were pretty close all our lives. Out of all my kids she was my girl. And she left two really beautiful boys. They miss her," she said breaking down.
Smith still insists Leblanc's husband Mike did not want his wife removed from life support.
There are still civil suits before the courts in relation to the case.
