Katherine Rogozinski

The accused was tried on a seven-count indictment including assault causing bodily harm, aggravated assault by wounding, uttering a death threat, forcible confinement, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, simple possession, and possession of proceeds of crime.

The court accepted the complainant’s evidence that the accused violently assaulted him during a gathering after a dispute over a drug-related debt, including slapping, punching, and stabbing him with a knife, causing injuries including a puncture wound requiring stitches.

The court rejected defence evidence that the violence was consensual “rough-housing” and found the complainant credible and corroborated by physical evidence and witnesses.

Circumstantial and direct evidence also established that the accused was engaged in commercial cocaine trafficking and that $24,000 seized from him constituted proceeds of that trafficking.

The accused was acquitted of uttering threats and forcible confinement, but convicted of assault causing bodily harm, aggravated assault by wounding, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime.