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Man jailed for machete attack Fort Providence resident repeatedly swung at victim
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 29, 2013
DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
A 20-year-old Fort Providence man was sentenced to 26 months in prison for hacking his friend with a machete.
The sentencing took place July 24 in territorial court in Yellowknife and takes into consideration the 108 days the man was already in custody, bringing his sentence down to 22 months and 14 days.
Denecho King was at his friend's residence on April 8, 2013, playing video games and smoking crack cocaine. At some point, King became angry and brandished a machete.
The first slash of the machete was blocked by the 28-year-old victim's boot, but the next two hits found their mark. King made a 10-centimetre gash in the victim's forearm with the second strike, then followed up with a final strike to the victim's shin, creating a smaller cut.
After escaping the assault, the male victim was medevaced to Edmonton.
Now, without the full mobility of his right hand, the victim requires further corrective surgery and physiotherapy for his injuries.
King spoke briefly before his sentencing.
"I'd just like to apologize and say sorry. I know what I did was wrong, and I take full responsibility," King said.
Judge Garth Malakoe took into consideration the 20-year-old's significant criminal record and the severity of the attack in his sentencing.
"It's remarkable (the victim's) injuries were not more serious. It's remarkable Mr. King is not facing manslaughter," Malakoe said.
"A just and peaceful society does not tolerate the use of a knife or machete in the settling of a dispute with an unarmed man."
King's mother was in court for the sentencing, sobbing as the facts of the crime were spoken.
King has taken a welding course at North Slave Correctional Centre while in custody and also taken part in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for his alcoholic and drug problems.
With one last, tear-filled embrace in his mother's arms, King was taken back into custody to serve his sentence.
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