Nearly two years in jail for Coyote's stabbing
Nathan Hodges stabbed Chase Van Metre 14 times during fight outside bar
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, December 23, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Nathan Hodges was sentenced in court Tuesday to serve another 23.5 months in jail for stabbing a man 14 times during a brawl outside Coyote's Steakhouse and Lounge two years ago.
Nathan Hodges, shown being led into the courthouse in August, was sentenced Tuesday to 23.5 months in jail - NNSL file photo |
The 27-year-old, who police linked to the B.C.-based '856' drug gang, was found guilty of aggravated assault by a jury in NWT Supreme Court after eight hours of deliberation Aug. 19.
"Obviously my client is not happy with it but Justice (Louise) Charbonneau gave a very well reasoned, very well articulated sentence," defence lawyer Jan Bran said in an interview outside the courtroom, adding it was too soon to discuss appealing the verdict.
The jury heard words were exchanged between Hodges and people with Van Metre inside the Range Lake Road bar hours before the stabbing.
Van Metre later approached Hodges, who flashed a knife.
A Coyote's employee intervened and, believing the situation had calmed down, closed the bar and people moved outside.
The bartender testified Hodges had been "egging" Van Metre on and that the victim had been calling Hodges names.
An SUV arrived with friends of Hodges and a fight broke out. At some point in the melee, Hodges stabbed Van Metre in the neck, head and torso.
Van Metre got up and wanted to keep fighting until he was told he was bleeding. He was said to have walked to Stanton Territorial Hospital which is nearby. Van Metre didn't testify during the trial,
Hodges admitted he stabbed the man but argued it was in self-defence.
Justice Charbonneau sentenced Hodges to 35 months in prison, though the total time he will remain in custody is reduced as he's credited for 237 days spent in custody before the trial.
The Crown had sought three years in prison while defence recommended 12 to 15 months.
Charbonneau cited previous cases that establish a range of 30 months to five years, taking into account the victim's role in what happened.
Charbonneau said Hodges apologized for his actions. "He said he's learned his lesson and that he knows violence is not the way to deal with conflict."
