Maria Canton
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 09/99) - A Yellowknife man was sentenced to 20 months in jail by a Supreme Court justice last Friday for the February stabbing of a 20-year-old Yellowknife man.

Despite Arthur Gonzales' final plea that he would give up anything in his life to make things the way they were before he stabbed the man, Justice Virginia Schuler said she was troubled by the facts of the case and the number of times the knife was used.

"It is really only luck that the injuries weren't more serious and more lasting," said Schuler when handing down her sentence.

"And I accept that this incident may be out of character for (Gonzales), but it is a very serious offence."

Gonzales, 22, pleaded guilty and was convicted of aggravated assault after he stabbed a man three times during a fracas outside Northern United Place.

The victim spent eight days in Stanton Hospital, four in the intensive care unit, recovering from punctures to a lung, his diaphragm and the top of his liver. He also received stitches to his forearm for a cut from the knife.

During Thursday's trial, friends and family for both the accused and the victim filled the courtroom to listen as the defence counsel and the Crown attorney presented their cases to the high court.

Schuler then took until Friday morning to deliberate the facts of the case before arriving at her decision.

Defence submitted a compilation of 17 letters from members of the community saying the slight, 120-pound Gonzales has a "soft and gentle nature" and the fight was out of character.

Defence counsel Bob Gorin told the court that the incident happened so fast that Gonzales doesn't remember doing it.

"He (Gonzales) doesn't remember striking him with the knife on the arm or the chest stab, but he does remember stabbing him in the back," he said.

Court heard how Gonzales stabbed the victim in the back when he noticed his brother coming out of Northern United Place and the victim moving towards him.

"He was acting out of fear of what was happening to his friend and what might happen to him and his brother," said Gorin.

Gonzales was remanded in custody following the incident and then released on bail with strict conditions and curfews on Feb. 16.

The victim's family was relieved last week when the sentence was given.

"At least there is some punishment," said the mother. "It's been really hard and painful and we're glad that it's hopefully all over."

Schuler also imposed a 10-year firearm prohibition to begin when Gonzales is released from jail.