Woman jailed after rampage in Fort Smith
Offender attacked man and women in home, spat on cab driver
Robin Grant
Northern News Services
Monday, May 30, 2016
THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
A Fort Smith woman who flew into a violent rage last summer, screaming at and attacking several people, has been sentenced to six months in jail.
Judge Bernadette Schmaltz sentenced Alisha Moses on May 25 in Yellowknife territorial court to four months for two counts of assault, two months for uttering threats to kill and one month concurrent for unlawfully entering a dwelling place.
Moses had previously pleaded guilty to the unlawfully entering a dwelling place charge and uttering threats but pleaded not guilty to assault charges. She was convicted for the assaults following a trial by judge alone.
"The circumstances of all of these offenses are serious," said Schmaltz. "Nothing excuses her behavior that night."
Court was told at her sentencing that Moses' rampage began after she entered a Fort Smith home where she attacked a male and female resident, striking them with her fists. She left only after the woman threatened to call the police.
Some hours later, as the couple was leaving the home and entering a cab, Moses returned. She began hitting the male victim and chased him into the woods. When she returned, Moses threatened to kill the female victim. She also spat in the cab driver's face.
Crown prosecutor Jacqueline Porter read a victim impact statement from the driver stating the woman had difficulty overcoming the feeling of being spat on and had to endure being tested for infectious diseases, which cost her time and work.
Defense lawyer Paul Falvo said Moses, who said little in court, has accepted responsibility for her actions.
"She has indicated remorse and takes full responsibility," he said.
Moses has three previous convictions on her criminal record, the nature of which were not revealed in court.
Schmaltz said considering how prevalent violent crime is in the North, people who commit violence must be held accountable.
"That evening it was not safe for those people," she said.
"A jail sentence is necessary in this case to recognize the seriousness of her behavior and hold Ms. Moses accountable for her behavior.
"The fundamental purpose of sentencing is to contribute to respect of the law and to protect the public," she added.
"She has got to realize she will be held accountable for her behavior."
