Crown seeks 10 years for man who killed half-sister

A Crown attorney on Tuesday asked for the court to impose a 10-year sentence on a Sioux Valley Dakota Nation man who killed his half-sister by repeatedly stabbing her in 2022.

The man’s defence lawyer argued for a time-served sentence, equivalent to just over five years.

Ernest Michael Blacksmith Jr., 23, pleaded guilty to manslaughter last year for the November 2022 death of Aimee-Jo Antoine, 30.

“In general terms, it does appear that what happened on Nov. 19, 2022 appears generally to be out of character for Mr. Blacksmith,” Crown attorney Mark Finnbogason said in Brandon’s Court of King’s Bench.

Finnbogason detailed the agreed statement of facts.

Blacksmith, Antoine and their uncle, Bruce Blacksmith, all shared a residence in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

The three, along with the mother of the victim and the accused, began drinking in the afternoon.

The uncle said when he left the home between 6 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., the half-siblings were continuing to use alcohol and were arguing, which he “characterized as a brother-sister argument,” Finnbogason said.

“Bruce Blacksmith described Mr. Blacksmith as extremely intoxicated when he left the residence, indicating to police that — quote — ‘He was not there,’” the Crown said.

The half-siblings’ mother, Penny, had fallen asleep upstairs earlier, and awoke to the sound of Antoine screaming, he said.

Antoine was on the couch with her legs positioned in front of her, while Blacksmith stood before her holding a knife, Finnbogason said. Penny then moved in front of Antoine before Blacksmith stabbed Antoine multiple times while yelling at the two women.

Antoine was stabbed seven times and had injuries to her legs and shoulder, Finnbogason said.

“This … was a large butcher-style knife,” he said. “The knife, by virtue of its size, was more than likely to cause life-threatening injuries.”

The Crown said Penny called 911 at 6:21 p.m. and called again twice. Police arrived at the home at 6:50 p.m. and identified Blacksmith. First responders were unable to revive Antoine with CPR and she was pronounced dead at 7:34 p.m.

Police seized a kitchen knife and serrated butcher knife.

“With regards to the attack and the Crown’s view, respectfully, it can be qualified only as brutal in nature. It was extensive. It was not just one stab — it was multiple, and caused catastrophic injury,” Finnbogason said.

“There’s also no indication that Aimee-Jo inflicted, yet alone threatened any type of physical violence on Mr. Blacksmith,” he said.

Blacksmith, in a statement to police the day after the stabbing, said that Antoine brought up Blacksmith’s deceased father and he “lost his shit,” Finnbogason told the court.

The Crown added that Blacksmith, just after the stabbing, took multiple photos and videos and posted them on Snapchat. One of those videos included the caption: “I stabbed her.”

Blacksmith addressed the court, saying he wants to move forward.

“I want to let you know that if I do end up getting out, and when I get out, I want to fix my life, focus on my life, my family,” Blacksmith said.

“I’m ready to take responsibility for this … That’s the one bridge that I have to cross right now,” he said.

He said he understands that what he did can’t be undone.

“I want to take responsibility for my actions and move forward with my family and work on myself and get back in life as I was supposed to back four years ago.”

Finnbogason said Blacksmith was supposed to take post-secondary training for woodworking in 2023 before he was arrested.

He said Blacksmith “expresses a desire” to attend a similar program in the future.

Along with the 10-year sentence, Finnbogason asked for a DNA order and a weapons prohibition.

A 10-year sentence would mean just under five years remaining for Blacksmith to serve.

Aggravating factors were that he used a large knife, the crime was committed in Antoine’s own home, she was defenceless and the impact on the family, the Crown said.

Mitigating factors were that he entered a guilty plea, which saved the court from a trial and spared the mother from having to testify. He has also indicated that he wants to care for Antoine’s children financially, Finnbogason said.

The Crown added that Blacksmith didn’t have a criminal record, has had a better relationship with his mother since he entered a guilty plea and has Gladue factors, including intergenerational trauma.

Defence lawyer Shimon Segal said Blacksmith’s progress in therapy and the location of the stab wounds were also mitigating factors.

He said Antoine being stabbed in the legs, with a less severe wound to her shoulder, aren’t as aggravating as stab wounds to her chest would have been.

Justice Scott Abel reserved his decision until May 19.

» alambert@brandonsun.com