Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, July 2, 2007

FORT SMITH - A Fort Smith man is dead and his teenaged brother has been charged with murder following a June 24 stabbing.

The RCMP identified the deceased as Jackson Benwell, 22.

His brother, 19-year-old Joseph Emile, has been charged with second-degree murder.

The RCMP says the stabbing took place at about 7:30 a.m. on June 24.

Sgt. Grant Payne said there had been at least one other altercation between the brothers during the night prior to the stabbing.

Emile, who was uninjured, appeared in Yellowknife Territorial Court on June 26. No plea was entered and the matter was adjourned to Aug. 13 in Fort Smith.

The accused has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance. The police were called to a residence on St. Ann's Street, known locally by the nickname Sesame Street, and were on the scene within minutes.

Benwell was transported to the Fort Smith Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was performed in Edmonton on June 26.

Payne said the tragedy has left the family in a difficult position.

They have two emotions to deal with - grief for the deceased and concern for the accused.

One relative, who did not wish to be identified, described Benwell as coming from a big family. "They're good people."

The relative - speaking while fighting back tears - also told of how Benwell loved being on the land and hunting. Benwell, who worked as a carpenter, was unmarried and had no children.

Murder or manslaughter is very rare in Fort Smith.

"Most people are shocked by it and a little subdued until they learn more about it," Payne said, noting the last killing in Fort Smith was in the late 1980s.

"It's not typical."