A jury has found Justin Paul Campbell guilty of first-degree murder

After just two hours of deliberations, a Corner Brook jury has decided that Justin Paul Campbell is guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his grandmother, and of theft of over $5,000.

The jury began deliberating to determine the fate of Campbell on Friday around 3 p.m. NT, and came to a decision around 5:10 p.m.

During the two-week trial, over 20 witnesses took the stand and a range of evidence, including pictures, text messages, bank statements and a recorded statement to police in which he confessed to killing Eva Banfield, was presented. 

Banfield's sister and niece were present in court and wept with relief when the verdict was read. Family members also called out "Thank you" to the jury as they left the court room.

Campbell spoke with RCMP Cpl. Nichole Park for over an hour on Sept. 8, 2023. CBC News was able to access the video — an emotional, distraught conversation where he told police that the devil had told him to commit the murder.

During the police interview, Campbell showed Cpl. Park how he put Banfield in a choke hold from behind while she was doing the dishes, after a roast dinner they had shared at their duplex in Deer Lake. He then used plastic wrap and a towel to cover her face.

After her death, Campbell used Banfield's phone to access her bank account, transferring her money to himself and using it to buy crack cocaine. He is also charged with theft over $5,000.

He wrapped Banfield's body in a blanket and hid her by her bed.

"It was the devil in my brain," Campbell said in his interview with police. "If you want to smoke crack, you are going to have to do it."

Crown attorney Brenda Duffy said the video was proof that Campbell had planned the murder.

Meanwhile, referencing the interview, defence lawyer Jonathan Regan said there was no doubt that Campbell murdered Banfield. The defence also said during the trial that most of what the witnesses heard was true, and didn't call any witnesses of their own.

However, Regan said the murder was not planned. He called it an urge Campbell felt and acted upon.

Justice Thomas Johnson spoke to the jury at length on Friday about the difference between first and second-degree murder before being sending them deliberate. First-degree is deliberate and planned, whereas second-degree is intentional but not planned.

The sentencing hearing will take place in 2026.