Man given month in jail for carrying knife
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/10/2019 (2196 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A man caught carrying a knife for his own protection from rival gang members has been sentenced to a month in jail.
Michael Huntinghawk, 23, pleaded guilty in Brandon provincial court earlier this week to possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Huntinghawk caught police attention last Friday in Waywayseecappo First Nation, Crown attorney Brett Rach said, when an off-duty police officer noticed him walking down a back lane.
Huntinghawk had an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Regina, Sask., Rach said, so the officer called on-duty officers.
Police located Huntinghawk and approached him, letting him know there was a warrant out for his arrest.
Huntinghawk told them he knew and continued walking, Rach said.
When they tried arresting him, Huntinghawk ran a short distance before turning around and walking back toward the officers in pursuit.
He then reached to the right side of his pants and lifted his sweater, Rach said, so officers yelled for Huntinghawk to get down on the ground and put his hands up.
Huntinghawk complied, telling police, “I just wanted to show you that I had a blade so you don’t overreact.”
Police asked Huntinghawk why he had the blade on him, Rach said.
“I carry it for my protection … I am a gang member so I protect myself from other gang members,” Huntinghawk told them.
Later on, Huntinghawk told officers that “knives are my weapons of choice because I know how far to stab someone without killing them,” Rach said.
Defence lawyer Ryan Fawcett denied Huntinghawk ever made a comment to police about knowing how to stab someone, but did agree that Huntinghawk was carrying a knife for his own protection.
“(Huntinghawk) deserves credit for the way he conducted himself with police, he was very co-operative and alerted them to the fact he had the knife on his belt,” Fawcett said.
When given the opportunity to speak, Huntinghawk gave a slight wave and said hello to Judge John Combs, noting that it had been a few years since he last saw Combs in court.
“It’s sad to hear that you’ve decided to adopt a gang lifestyle. I hope that that is something that you’re giving consideration to getting away from … it’s going to lead to no good,” Combs said. “If you feel like you have to carry a knife for protection because you’re in a gang, one needs to wonder why you’re involved with the situation.”
The Crown and defence counsel suggested a sentence of 30 days in jail would be appropriate, based on the circumstances and Huntinghawk’s criminal record.
Combs agreed with counsel and sentenced Huntinghawk to the month in jail minus a credit for the six days he already served.
Huntinghawk is expected to remain in custody as the charges out of Regina remain before the court.
» edebooy@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @erindebooy