An Edmonton man, George Russell Hulleman, 31, has been found guilty of manslaughter following the death of his five-week-old son, Leviathan Puchalski. The verdict was delivered at the Edmonton Court of King’s Bench, where Hulleman was originally charged with second-degree murder almost a year after the tragic incident.
During the trial, Judge Shannon Davis highlighted that expert medical testimony could not pinpoint the exact actions that led to the severe injuries sustained by Leviathan. The court learned 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 discovered Hulleman calling 911 while holding the unresponsive infant, after reportedly spending hours playing video games.
Medical responders found Leviathan in critical condition, with brain swelling, spinal cord injuries, and limb fractures, leading to his passing on February 9, 2023, at Stollery Children’s Hospital. The prosecution spotlighted Hulleman’s actions post-incident, contending that his conduct implied a deliberate intent to harm the child.
Despite evidence of Hulleman’s cognitive limitations affecting his foresight, Judge Davis ruled that the Crown had satisfactorily demonstrated the intent to cause severe bodily harm, resulting in the manslaughter conviction. However, the court was not convinced of the Crown’s assertion that Hulleman had foreseen the possibility of Leviathan’s death. As a consequence, sentencing for Hulleman has been deferred pending the preparation of an Indigenous background report, with the sentencing date yet to be determined.