The accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Frank Lawson (aka Kwandibens) after initially being charged with second-degree murder.
The incident occurred during a drinking party in a remote First Nations community when the accused, carrying a paring knife for cutting moose meat, stabbed the deceased once in the chest after being pushed to the ground.
The accused immediately expressed remorse, called emergency services, and confessed to police.
The court imposed a sentence of six years imprisonment less time served (approximately twelve months on an enhanced basis), resulting in a net sentence of five years, applying Gladue considerations regarding the accused's history of abuse, substance abuse issues, and the systemic factors affecting Aboriginal offenders in remote communities.
