CALGARY — A woman buried her face in her hands and wept as a Calgary jury found she acted in self-defence in the shooting death of her abusive husband.
Jurors deliberated about six hours over two days before finding Lela Mae La France not guilty of second-degree murder.
La France, 40, admitted shooting Kevan Dunseath, 46, once in the head on Aug. 8, 2008, in the Strathmore home they shared.
But she told jurors Dunseath had put a sawed-off, .22 calibre rifle to her head and tried to smother her before she was able to grab the weapon and fire.
Both La France and Dunseath were in the midst of a crack cocaine binge when she told him she was leaving him.
Defence lawyer Jim Lutz said being in custody has helped La France kick her addiction.
“It’s an extremely emotional day for her, it’s been an absolutely gruelling 21 months,” he said.
He speculated La France will return to her now deceased mother’s home in Coaldale.
“She’s looking forward to getting her life back on track,” Lutz said.