A 23-year-old man charged in connection with the death of his 10-week old baby, was found guilty of assault and manslaughter in a London courtroom on Wednesday.
Rourke Desmanche sat in the prisoner’s box with his hands clenched and eyes welling up as the verdict was handed down.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charges in a brief trial that took place in December 2012.
His son, Kurious George Rose-Desmanche, was found unresponsive in a Pond Mills townhouse and spent several weeks in critical condition before being taken off life support and passing away in August 2010.
The cause of death was determined as traumatic head injury. During the trial, medical experts testified the boy died after being violently shaken.
At the time the court also heard that a number of witnesses seemed reluctant to testify. Tiffany Rose, the child’s mother, says it may have been because of a connection to gangs.
Rose spoke after the verdict was handed down saying “I’m happy, I’m happy that there’s consequences for actions…[I’m] trying every day to move on.”
The 29-year-old says she’s going to school and trying to lead better her life. She no longer lives in London but says Kurious is never far from her mind.
“Always, he’ll be remembered forever by me and my family.”
A date for Desmanche’s sentencing will be set on March 12th.
