When you follow a high profile trial in Saint John, you expect the final moments to run smoothly. That did not happen Tuesday night. Jury deliberations in the double murder trial of Roman Kamyshnyy came to a sudden halt because of technical problems.

Kamyshnyy faces two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of two boys, aged 10 and 17. The incident occurred on Jan. 29, 2025.

According to CBC News, the jury asked to review the testimony of the Crown’s key witness. This witness is Kamyshnyy’s ex partner, identified only as Witness A due to a publication ban. After listening to the tape for nearly two hours, the jury took a dinner break. Upon returning, Court of King’s Bench Justice Darrell Stephenson received a note from a juror.

The juror stated the audio playback was impossible to understand due to a loss of hearing range and loud rumbling noises. The juror noted they had more questions after the session than before.

Closing Arguments and Trial Details

You can watch a summary of the closing arguments here:

The Crown and Defence presented their closing arguments earlier in the day.

Crown prosecutor Elaina Campbell argued Kamyshnyy executed a planned retaliation over his recent divorce. She presented a timeline showing Kamyshnyy hacking into Witness A’s Instagram account, buying a nail gun, and searching online for terms like deepest sleep and heart. Campbell stated Kamyshnyy barricaded the apartment door and stabbed the boys to death before attempting to take his own life with the nail gun.

Defence lawyer Shanna Wicks told the jury Kamyshnyy has no memory of the events. She pointed to the severe brain injury he suffered from the nail gun. Wicks also highlighted that Kamyshnyy had alcohol and sleep medication in his system that morning. She argued there was no plan to harm the boys.

Jury Instructions and Next Steps

Justice Stephenson instructed the jury on the law. He outlined five possible verdicts for each charge. These include first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter, assault, or not guilty. He reminded the jurors they must make their decision based on the evidence and ignore public opinion.

Court officials plan to fix the audio quality by Wednesday morning. The 12 jurors remain sequestered at a hotel until they reach a unanimous verdict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is on trial in this case?

Roman Kamyshnyy is on trial for the deaths of two boys in Saint John.

What are the charges?

He faces two counts of first degree murder.

Why did the jury pause their deliberations?

The jury stopped deliberating because poor audio quality made it impossible to understand the playback of a key witness’s testimony.

What are the possible verdicts?

The jury can find the accused guilty of first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter, assault, or not guilty.