Listen to this article
Estimated 2 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
A man who was supposed to begin his trial for a murder charge, instead pleaded guilty to manslaughter — as friends and family of the victim wept watching a recording of the fatal beating.
Blair Walsh’s two-week trial was due to start Monday in a Corner Brook courtroom.
As the dramatic security video of a beating that took place on March 28, 2023 played in court, Walsh sat next to his lawyer Jonathan Regan, staring straight ahead.
But the friends and family of Bert Webster, the man who was killed, cried as a recording of the violent encounter was shown. Walsh can be seen punching Webster over a dozen times in the head, hitting his head into a metal rail and kicking him multiple times while he was on the ground.
WATCH | Security video played in court brings family of dead man to tears:
Blair Walsh pleads guilty to manslaughter
Blair Walsh was set for a second-degree murder trial but instead entered a guilty plea to manslaughter Monday morning in a Corner Brook courtroom. Friends and family of Bert Webster wept, as a video of Webster being assaulted outside of an apartment building on Wheelers Road was shown in court. Webster was put on life support that day in 2023 and later died. The CBC’s Colleen Connors reports.
While Webster’s loved ones watched, they said to each other, “don’t look at it,” and at other times they addressed Walsh directly by saying, “What in the f––– is wrong with you?”
Walsh was set to have a trial in June 2025 but it was postponed and rescheduled to September. Webster was not in custody while awaiting trial.
Crown attorney Kate Ashton said Webster had a speech impediment, cognitive issues and poor health. After the attack, Webster was taken to hospital and put on life support. He suffered severe brain damage and was pronounced dead at 11:30 that evening back in March 2023 when the assault took place.
She said the autopsy report stated his cause of death was homicide.
Because Walsh admitted to killing Webster, there will be no trial. A sentencing hearing where victim impact statements will be submitted and read in court is scheduled for Feb. 17, 2027.
Walsh was remanded into custody following Monday’s hearing.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.