Yellowknife (Aug 29/03) - A 24-year-old Ndilo man was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday in connection with the drunken stabbing death of a friend last year.

Derek Jason Sangris will serve the time after pleading guilty to one count of manslaughter stemming from the death of Eddie Paul Beyonnie.

"The sentence must acknowledge the harm (Sangris) has done to (Beyonnie's) family," said NWT Supreme Court Justice Ted Richard, who presided over the case.

"(It also) must allow (Sangris) a chance for counselling and rehabilitation."

According to an agreed statement of facts, Sangris stabbed Beyonnie twice after a night of heavy drinking in Ndilo on July 12, 2002.

One of the blows severed Beyonnie's pulmonary artery. He was rushed to the Stanton Regional Hospital but died a short time after.

Crown attorney Sadie Brown said Sangris' blood alcohol level may have been as high as .20 at the time of the killing.

Richard said the incident should serve as a warning to others.

"I hope that each person when they leave here today will reflect on the underlying cause of (Beyonnie's death) and ask themselves if anything is going to change in the community.

"How many bright and talented men like Eddie Paul Beyonnie will die?"

Several members of Beyonnie's family wept as Richard read his decision.

"The court extends its sympathy to you," he said.

"No matter how long or short the sentence... it cannot bring him back."

Richard said that even though Sangris was drunk, he bore a high level of "moral responsibility" for Beyonnie's death.

According to the agreed statement of facts, Sangris had been involved in a scuffle earlier in the evening with Beyonnie and two other friends.

Sangris then went home, and according to his brother Archie, opened a kitchen drawer. Soon after he was spotted heading back to Beyonnie's house with a shiny object in his hand.

"I find he did arm himself... and he did have violent intentions," said Richard.

The Crown had originally intended to try Sangris for second-degree murder, but Bond accepted Sangris' plea of manslaughter just hours before the trial was set to begin.

"The Crown needs to constantly re-evaluate it's case," she said.

"It cannot be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had the (intention of committing murder)."

Richard gave Sangris credit for the 13 months he had spent in custody. He also agreed to allow Sangris to spend the time in the NWT as opposed to a Southern penitentiary.

NOTE:
In Wednesday's story, Yellowknifer incorrectly identified Eddie Paul Beyonnie's sister Pauline Mackenzie. Yellowknifer regrets the error.