OTTAWA - A former Alberta couple who used homemade remedies on their son before he died of bacterial meningitis say they feel vindicated following the Supreme Court's decision to grant them a new trial.
The high court has thrown out a conviction against David and Collet Stephan (STEFF'-uhn), who were found guilty in 2016 of failing to provide the necessaries of life to 19-month-old Ezekiel.
Justice Michael Moldaver, speaking for the high court, says the trial judge didn't properly instruct jurors on certain points in a way they could understand.
Their trial in Lethbridge, Alberta heard they treated the boy with garlic, onion and horseradish rather than take him to a doctor.
The Stephans eventually called 9-1-1 but the toddler died in hospital.
The Alberta Court of Appeal upheld the conviction last November, but because the ruling wasn't unanimous the couple had an automatic right to take their case to the Supreme Court.
David Stephan says he and his wife are grateful for the chance to bring the whole truth forward and to fight for parental rights.