Matthew Spring guilty of manslaughter

The jury in the Matthew Spring trial has found him guilty of manslaughter on Thursday in the 2011 death of Bradley Hubbard at a mini-golf course in Barrie.

Spring was rushed out the Barrie courthouse by his family right after the jury delivered its verdict on Thursday.

The jury heard that Hubbard died after he was stabbed in the neck with a broken putter during a fight with Spring, his older brother and a friend in August of 2011.

Spring was originally charged with second degree murder but after two days of deliberation the jury unanimously convicted him on the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Spring’s lawyer, Angela McLeod, argued that he was acting in self-defence and trying to save his brother’s life as he was being strangled by Hubbard.

Spring’s family members broke down crying in the courtroom after hearing the verdict. After words Spring turned to his family and said ‘It’s okay, I’ll be fine.”

Hubbard’s mother was also in the courtroom to hear the verdict but didn’t want to comment. In fact, she was led out of the courthouse by police through a back exit.

Spring is under strict bail conditions until sentencing in February.

The defence hasn’t decided if they will appeal the verdict