Assault charges dropped against Ontario man who confronted home intruder

A Crown attorney told a Lindsay court that charges of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon against Jeremy David "J.D." McDonald have been withdrawn after prosecutors reviewed additional evidence; the alleged intruder still faces separate charges and remains in custody.

An Ontario apartment tenant charged after a pre-dawn altercation with an alleged intruder will no longer face prosecution, a Crown attorney told a court in Lindsay. The charges related to an Aug. 18 confrontation that prompted public discussion about self-defence and the use of force in the home. Prosecutors said they reviewed additional material, including medical records and forensic testing, that were not available when charges were first laid. The alleged intruder remains in custody and faces separate charges. Known details: - Crown attorney Sarah Repka told the court there is no longer a reasonable prospect of conviction, and the two charges against Jeremy David "J.D." McDonald were withdrawn. - McDonald had been charged last August with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in connection with the early-morning incident. - Court documents say McDonald wielded a knife and that the alleged intruder, Michael Kyle Breen, was armed with a crossbow. - Kawartha Lakes police said officers were called at about 3:20 a.m.; Breen sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a Toronto hospital for treatment. - CBC reporting notes McDonald has past convictions, including a 2001 assault-related case and a later conviction for assault causing bodily harm. Summary: The withdrawal ends criminal proceedings against McDonald while the alleged intruder still faces charges and remains in custody. Undetermined at this time.