Jurors in Lac-Mégantic rail disaster trial enter fifth day of deliberations

The jurors are deciding the fate of Tom Harding, Richard Labrie and Jean Demaitre, who are charged in connection with the July 2013 tragedy in which 47 people were killed.

From left, train driver Thomas Harding, manager of train operations Jean Demaitre and traffic controller Richard Labrie. The three are charged with criminal negligence causing death in the Lac-Mégantic railway disaster.
From left, train driver Thomas Harding, manager of train operations Jean Demaitre and traffic controller Richard Labrie. The three are charged with criminal negligence causing death in the Lac-Mégantic railway disaster.  (Ryan Remiorz/THE CANADIAN PRESS file photos)  

SHERBROOKE, QUE.—Jury deliberations at the trial of three men charged with criminal negligence causing death in the Lac-Mégantic railway disaster are into Day 5.

The 12 jurors have not been heard from since they began deliberating Thursday morning.

They are deciding the fate of Tom Harding, Richard Labrie and Jean Demaitre, who are charged in connection with the July 2013 tragedy in which 47 people were killed when a runaway train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded.

The three men pleaded not guilty.

Harding was the train’s engineer, Labrie the traffic controller and Demaitre the manager of train operations.

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All three can be found guilty of criminal negligence causing the death of 47 people, while jurors have the option of convicting Harding on one of two other charges: dangerous operation of railway equipment or dangerous operation of railway equipment causing death.

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