ST, JOHN'S, N.L. — There was no hiding Ryan Farrell's joy upon being acquitted of assault charges in St. John's Wednesday afternoon.
As soon as Judge Colin Flynn announced he was dismissing the charges, Farrell stood in the courtroom — while Flynn was still speaking — and thanked him.
"Thank you very much, your honour. You just made my day," Farrell said excitedly, thanking his lawyer, Michael Ralph, and asking if The Telegram wanted a picture of him, before being escorted out of the courtroom by sheriff's officers.
In the hallway, Farrell was heard yelling, "Woo hoo!" as he walked back to the lockup to await the documentation that would release him from custody.
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The 31-year-old had been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and four breaches of court orders in connection with a stabbing at a home on Southside Road March 7. Police were called to the home around 11:30 p.m. and found a 30-year-old man bleeding and upset. He was taken to St. Clare's hospital and later interviewed by police.
The man also agreed to allow a forensic officer to take photos of his injuries, which consisted of an abrasion on his knee and a puncture wound on his side, near his ribs. His winter jacket had a tear through it in the same spot.
Police located a black-handled knife on the kitchen counter near the sink, which tested positive for blood. There was blood on the floor and on a kitchen towel in the garbage.
Farrell was taken to RNC headquarters for questioning and consented to the photographing of his injury, too: a significant cut on his right hand, between the thumb and forefinger.
Farrell had pleaded not guilty and three days had been set aside for his trial starting Wednesday morning, with a number of RNC officers testifying. However, the Crown's case was stalled when the victim didn't show up to take the stand.
When he was still a no-show after lunch, prosecutor Jessica Gallant told Flynn she would call no more witnesses and invited an acquittal. Ralph indicated he wouldn't make a case.
Flynn declared Farrell acquitted due to a lack of evidence, saying he had no way to be certain the accused had not acted in self-defence.
"I have lots to say," Farrell said in response to a request for comment from The Telegram as he left the courtroom with sheriff's officers. "I'll give you my phone number if you want it."
Twitter: @tara_bradbury
