Saskatoon Court Acquits Man in Girlfriend's Fatal Shooting
In a dramatic courtroom scene at Saskatoon's Court of King's Bench, Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown delivered a not guilty verdict for Andrew Steven Rosenfeldt, who had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, Nykera Justice Brown. The emotional decision on January 30, 2026, prompted an outburst from Brown's mother, Cathleen Balon, who screamed at Rosenfeldt before leaving the courtroom with family members and victim service workers.
Judge Cites Reasonable Doubt in Controversial Decision
Justice MacMillan-Brown explained that she was left with reasonable doubt about Rosenfeldt's guilt after carefully considering the evidence presented during the judge-alone trial that took place in November. The 28-year-old defendant had been accused of shooting 20-year-old Brown in the head with a .22 calibre sawed-off rifle on November 15, 2022, in a basement apartment suite located at 124 Avenue P South in Saskatoon.
The courtroom was packed with Brown's supporters, many wearing purple clothing bearing the words "Justice for Nykera," as they awaited the verdict that would ultimately clear Rosenfeldt of the murder charge.
Forensic Evidence and Mental Health History Create Uncertainty
Central to the judge's decision was testimony from Saskatchewan's chief forensic pathologist, Dr. Shaun Ladham, who stated it was "certainly possible" that Brown had shot herself. Dr. Ladham compared the size of Brown's entrance wound to the dimensions of the gun's muzzle and its proximity at the time of firing, suggesting the evidence could support a suicide scenario.
Justice MacMillan-Brown noted that these forensic findings, when considered alongside Brown's documented history of serious mental health struggles including self-harm, raised significant questions about Rosenfeldt's culpability. "The theory that Nykera took her own life is tethered to the evidence," the judge declared when reading her decision.
Prior Mental Health Incidents Presented at Trial
The trial heard compelling testimony from police officers who had responded to previous mental health emergencies involving Brown. One officer testified about transporting Brown to the hospital on September 8, 2022, after receiving a call about a woman contemplating suicide at an apartment. On another occasion, officers reported helping Brown off the ledge of Saskatoon's University Bridge, further establishing her history of mental health crises.
Conflicting Arguments from Prosecution and Defense
Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Addabor argued vigorously for conviction, asserting that Rosenfeldt had both motive and opportunity to kill Brown, who she claimed was preparing to leave the relationship. Addabor highlighted that Rosenfeldt had the victim's blood on him and emphasized that the presence of depression or suicidal ideation doesn't necessarily lead to action.
The prosecution particularly focused on Rosenfeldt's initial false statement to 911 operators, in which he claimed that two masked men had burst into the apartment and shot Brown. Rosenfeldt later admitted this was a lie and confessed to hiding the sawed-off rifle in a box spring before police arrived.
Defence lawyer Chris Murphy countered that his client was "guilty of being stupid" for lying but insisted this didn't make him a murderer. Rosenfeldt maintained to police that he never witnessed his girlfriend being shot and chose not to testify during his trial.
The controversial acquittal has sparked strong reactions in the Saskatoon community, with Brown's family and supporters expressing profound disappointment while the legal system upheld the principle of reasonable doubt in reaching its verdict.
