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Charges upgraded to manslaughter in July death investigation

Bryan Smith appeared in Barrie Court of Justice today where the original charge of assault cause bodily harm was upgraded to manslaughter
Bryan Smith
Bryan Smith. Photo provided by Barrie Police Service

NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE POLICE SERVICE
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On Saturday, July 1, 2017, detectives with the Barrie Police Homicide Unit began an investigation into the suspicious death of 45-year-old Brett Wickett, of Barrie. As a result of the initial investigation into the incident, 37-year-old Bryan Smith of Barrie was charged with assault cause bodily harm.

Following the completion of the postmortem examination, investigators with the Homicide Unit have confirmed that the victim’s death was the result of blunt force trauma. A neuropathologists review has confirmed that the cause of death was attributed to the events and altercation that occurred between the accused and the victim on Friday, June 30, 2017.

The accused appeared in a Barrie Court of Justice, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, where the original charge of assault cause bodily harm was upgraded to manslaughter.

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