SASKATOON — Andrew Rosenfeldt has been acquitted of second-degree murder in the death of 20-year-old Nykera Justice Brown, following a judge alone trial where two starkly different narratives of what happened were presented.
Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown delivered the not guilty verdict on Jan. 30 in Saskatoon Court of King’s bench, concluding a lengthy case.
Brown was found dead in Rosenfeldt’s King George neighbourhood apartment, lying in a pool of blood on the living-room floor the couple had converted into their bedroom in his aunt's apartment. Police arrested Rosenfeldt the same night and charged him with second-degree murder.
Two competing theories
Throughout the trial, the Crown and defence presented opposing accounts of Brown’s final moments.
Prosecutor Elizabeth Addabor argued Rosenfeldt was a controlling and jealous partner who killed Brown in a rage as she prepared to leave him. Addabor pointed to a packed suitcase, a distressed phone call Brown made to her brother minutes before she died, and Rosenfeldt’s shifting explanations to police, including a fabricated story about masked intruders.
“She was desperate to get out,” Addodor told the court in November 2025. “Within minutes of making a plan to leave, she is dead.”
The Crown also emphasized Roenfeldt’s post-offence conduct, including hiding the rifle used in the shooting under a bed.
Defence lawyer Chris Murphy, argued Brown died by suicide. He urged the court to focus on Brown’s long history of suicidal ideation, substance abuse, and at least 10 previous suicide attempts. A forensic pathologist testified the gunshot wound under Brown’s chin was consistent with a self-inflected injury and showed no signs of struggle.
Murphy argued Rosenfeldt’s panicked behaviour after the shooting reflected immaturity and fear, not guilt.
“He is guilty of being ‘stupid,’ not of murder,” said Murphy.
ljoy@sasktoday.ca
