Nearly three years after a deadly bar fight in Scarborough, Alexander Campbell and Tyler Josling walked out of court free men.
On Tuesday, a judge found both men not guilty of manslaughter in the death of Frank Harbolis.
It all began with a July 2022 altercation at Jack Astor’s by Scarborough Town Centre.
That night, Campbell and Josling, both 26 at the time, stepped in after Harbolis reportedly punched a manager and threw a chair.
The two friends, along with a staff member, tackled and tried to restrain Harbolis.
Moments later, he was unconscious.
Harbolis, 32, died two days later in hospital. A pathologist said the cause of death was neck compression, possibly triggering cardiac arrest due to an existing heart condition.
Superior Court Justice Michael Dineen delivered the verdict.
He described the incident as “a sudden situation of real peril” and said the defendants “were trying to help.”
“They were making decisions in the face of a real threat of harm to others and with little time for careful consideration,” he told the court.
Dineen said there was no proof the men meant serious harm. The judge found their use of force wasn’t clearly unreasonable.
The courtroom reacted in stark contrast.
Campbell and Josling cried as the decision was read. Their families hugged and whispered prayers of relief.
On the other side, relatives of Harbolis swore and stormed out, visibly upset with the outcome.
Outside the courthouse on University Avenue, Campbell appeared quiet and shaken.
He declined to speak in detail, saying only, “Just… respectfully, no comment.”
During the trial, multiple witnesses said Campbell appeared to have Harbolis in a chokehold. The defense argued the intent was to stop an unpredictable man from hurting others.
The judge did not assign blame for Harbolis’ behavior but called it tragic.
“It is clear he needed help,” Dineen said.
The decision ends a legal ordeal that lasted almost three years.
Whether the Crown will appeal remains unclear.
For now, Campbell and Josling are free—though the emotions stirred in that courtroom won’t fade quickly.
