An Edmonton man has been found guilty of manslaughter in the tragic death of his five-week-old baby son. George Russell Hulleman, 31, faced an original charge of second-degree murder following the passing of Leviathan Puchalski. The ruling of manslaughter was delivered by the Edmonton Court of King’s Bench.
During the trial, it was revealed that the specific actions leading to Leviathan’s severe injuries could not be definitively determined by medical experts. The incident occurred on the evening of Feb. 5, 2023, when Leviathan’s mother retired to bed around 10 p.m., leaving Hulleman and the baby alone in their Edmonton residence.
Upon waking hours later, the mother discovered Hulleman on a distress call with emergency services while holding Leviathan. She attested that prior to that night, the infant had been progressing normally without any known incidents of severe injury.
Emergency responders arrived to find Hulleman administering chest compressions in the kitchen, with Leviathan in a critical condition. The baby was rushed to Stollery Children’s Hospital, where it was determined that he had sustained extensive brain swelling, spinal cord damage, and limb fractures. Tragically, Leviathan passed away on Feb. 9, 2023.
The central question in the case was whether Hulleman possessed the requisite intent for a murder conviction. Evidence presented by a forensic psychology expert highlighted cognitive limitations that could impact Hulleman’s ability to foresee consequences, particularly under emotional stress.
Despite acknowledging Hulleman’s cognitive challenges, the judge emphasized that the evidence did not definitively prove his lack of foresight required for murder. The court was presented with conflicting accounts, including Hulleman’s claim that Leviathan had fallen from a couch while under his care, which contradicted medical findings.
Expert testimonies suggested that Leviathan’s injuries were consistent with severe physical trauma, potentially caused by shaking, throwing, or similar actions. The judge noted the catastrophic nature of the infant’s injuries and ruled that while Hulleman may have foreseen bodily harm, there was insufficient proof of his anticipation of death.
In light of the evidence presented, the judge found Hulleman guilty of manslaughter, emphasizing the need for an Indigenous background report, formerly known as a Gladue report, before sentencing. The final sentencing will be determined at a later date.
