An Edmonton man, George Russell Hulleman, 31, has been found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the death of his five-week-old son, Leviathan Puchalski. Originally facing a second-degree murder charge, Hulleman’s conviction came nearly a year after the tragic incident. The verdict was delivered at the Edmonton Court of King’s Bench by Judge Shannon Davis.
During the trial, medical experts testified that the severe injuries sustained by Leviathan could not conclusively determine the exact actions that led to his death. The court heard that on the night of February 5, 2023, Leviathan’s mother retired to bed around 10 p.m., leaving the baby and Hulleman alone in their Edmonton residence. She later awoke to find Hulleman on the phone with emergency services, holding the unresponsive infant.
Emergency responders arrived to find Hulleman administering chest compressions in the kitchen. Leviathan was rushed to Stollery Children’s Hospital, where it was discovered that he had sustained critical injuries including brain swelling, spinal cord damage, and limb fractures. Tragically, Leviathan passed away on February 9, 2023.
The central issue in the case revolved around Hulleman’s intent. Despite testimony from a forensic psychology expert highlighting Hulleman’s cognitive limitations and emotional struggles, Judge Davis ruled that the evidence did not definitively establish Hulleman’s state of mind at the time of the incident. While acknowledging Hulleman’s cognitive challenges, the judge concluded that there was insufficient proof that he lacked the foresight required for a murder conviction.
The court heard conflicting accounts regarding the cause of Leviathan’s injuries. Hulleman claimed the baby fell from a couch, but medical experts disputed this explanation, citing injuries consistent with a significant fall. Experts also testified that the injuries sustained were indicative of severe trauma, potentially caused by shaking, throwing, or slamming.
Ultimately, Judge Davis determined that while Hulleman may have foreseen causing bodily harm to Leviathan, the evidence did not support the conclusion that he anticipated the likelihood of the infant’s death, a crucial element for a murder conviction. As a result, the Crown successfully proved the case for manslaughter.
The judge has ordered the preparation of an Indigenous background report, formerly known as a Gladue report, before sentencing. The sentencing date is yet to be determined.
