The man accused of causing the death of Invermere’s Cory Jarock, seen here on the right in this Pioneer file photo, has been acquitted on manslaughter.
Cranbrook Daily Townsman
Brian Panebianco has been found not guilty on all charges related to the death of Invermere man Cory Jarock.
After seven hours of deliberation, a jury returned with its verdict on Tuesday evening, January 21, in Cranbrook Supreme Court.
The jury found Panebianco, 25, not guilty of manslaughter, criminal negligence causing death, robbery or assault causing bodily harm.
Instead, the jury returned a guilty verdict for two lesser charges: theft under $5,000, and assault.
Justice Kenneth Ball sentenced Panebianco to six months jail for the two offenses. Panebianco had served time in custody awaiting a bail hearing equivalent to six months, so he was free to leave after the sentence was handed down.
He is required to pay a victim fine surchage of $200 and provide a DNA sample.
Cory Jarock, 31, died of hypothermia in Invermere on April 3, 2012, after he was kicked out of a house party by Panebianco.
Read more on this breaking news story in Friday’s edition of The Pioneer.
