Rae-Edzo (Feb 09/04) - Randy Wanazah of Rae-Edzo has been acquitted of the 2002 second-degree murder of Rocky Zoe, aged 16.

Zoe was stabbed in the back on June 23, 2002, in Rae-Edzo. By 3:40 p.m. he was pronounced dead at Stanton Territorial Hospital.

On Feb. 5, nearly two years and several hours of deliberation later, the jury returned a not guilty verdict to the NWT Supreme Court.

A visibly relieved Wanazah showed the first signs of emotion as the verdict was read at the end of the week-long trial.

Wanazah, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was tried as an adult because Judge Michel Bourassa had earlier ruled against a defence motion to transfer the trial to youth court.

The trial was scheduled to be held in Rae last week but was moved to Yellowknife due to a furnace equipment malfunction at the Rae courthouse.

The court heard testimony from various witnesses throughout the week, including the RCMP and the nurse who attended to Zoe in Rae after the stabbing.

During one point in the trial, the credibility of one of the jurors came into question because of a rumour that person had discussed the case outside of court.

After Justice Richard questioned those involved in the alleged incident, that information was found to be incorrect and the juror was not released from duty.