Sequin Mooswa was found deceased in North Battleford on March 8, 2020. (Submitted photo)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

RCMP investigation

Mirasty sentencing now scheduled for April 8 in manslaughter case

Apr 1, 2022 | 12:10 PM

The man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the Sequin Mooswa homicide investigation was scheduled for his sentencing hearing in North Battleford Provincial Court Friday. It has now been adjourned until next week for further submissions.

On Oct. 27, 2020, Keenan Mirasty, now 23, of North Battleford entered his plea to unlawfully causing the death of Sequin Mooswa on March 8, 2020 and thereby commit manslaughter. A charge of second-degree murder in the case was stayed once Mirasty pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.

The sentencing hearing for Mirasty, who remains in custody, was initially held on Aug. 11, 2021.

A second sentencing hearing took place March 9 and 11, 2022 as the Crown and Defence counsels failed to agree on the number of assaults in the statement of facts. The Defence asserted there was one assault in Mooswa’s apartment at the time of the offence, while the Crown maintained there was an additional assault in the bedroom.

During court on April 1, Judge Daniel O’Hanlon referenced evidence provided, as well as a photograph and the autopsy report relating to Mooswa, who suffered numerous blunt force injuries.

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“I find the evidence before me and I find beyond a reasonable doubt that a second assault on Sequin Mooswa took place after the first assault…,” he said.

Based on the evidence, after the first assault witnessed by their guests, Mirasty was taken outside the apartment. One individual briefly went back in to check on Mooswa who appeared injured, but not to the degree shown in the photograph submitted. It is evident the accused later re-entered the apartment to assault Mooswa a second time, as her face showed “horrific injuries,” the judge said.

The judge added the autopsy report indicated there were also multiple blunt force injuries to her body evident.

In addition, the court heard a downstairs neighbour reported hearing loud banging overhead twice at the time of the incident, once earlier during the night, and then again later at around 5 a.m. coming from the upstairs apartment where Mooswa lived. The banging was so loud that the neighbour’s light fixture in her hallway was shaking on both occasions. After the second incident, the neighbour called police to request a wellness check.

“I’m satisfied that a second assault took place,” Judge O’Hanlon said, adding that the second assault appears to have occurred around the same place as the first assault.

Defence lawyer Michael Nolin said he would be making a submission related to the penalty recommendation. Prosecutor Brittany Goodman, now handling the case for the Crown, requested a short intermission before sentencing.

As a result, O’Hanlon adjourned sentencing to April 8, 2022 at 11 a.m.

RCMP previously reported Sequin Mooswa, 22, was found deceased in her home on St. Laurent Drive in North Battleford on March 8, 2020.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow