A 23-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter in the death of Kaylin Diggs, whose body was found in downtown Halifax in August 2012.
Devon Marteeko Downey was arrested in connection with Diggs’ death after he turned himself into police on Thursday.
“It's good news, but it's not going to be complete closure,” said Quentrel Provo, a cousin of Diggs.
“Someone's going to pay for their actions obviously, but it's not going to bring Kaylin back,” he said.
Downey was released on bail with a number of conditions, including prohibitions against consuming alcohol, possessing weapons, and to avoid contact with potential witnesses.
He has no prior criminal record.
Police were called to a disturbance in the area of Argyle and Sackville streets before 4 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2012.
When they arrived on scene they found 26-year-old Diggs lying unresponsive in a crosswalk. Diggs was taken to hospital where he died a short time later.
“We were confident early on who the people were involved in this, and that hasn’t changed through the course of the investigation,” said Supt. Jim Perrin of the Halifax Regional Police.
“What’s changed today is that we were able to make an arrest.”
Following Diggs’ death, police said Diggs had left a downtown bar and was walking along Argyle Street when he stopped to help a friend who was being assaulted by a group of men.
They said Diggs was assaulted and knocked to the ground in the altercation.
Since his death, Diggs’ friends and family have been holding an annual event in his memory to protest violence.
Downey appeared in Halifax provincial court Thursday afternoon to face a charge of manslaughter.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ron Shaw
