Gunville manslaughter case results in near six-year sentence

The background

On the evening of Feb. 19, 2019, shortly after 6:30 p.m., police responded to a house in the 1200 block of 17th St. W.

Albert Gunville, 50, was found in critical condition and taken to hospital where he died.

Sasakamoose was also found in the house, holding a vodka bottle and crying. A witness immediately told police she was the one responsible.

The official cause of death was later determined to be a single stab wound to the lower left chest.

According to the agreed statement of facts read in court by Crown Prosecutor Cynthia Alexander, Gunville had been invited over to a friend’s house for drinks and brought Sasakamoose with him.

While the exact motive for why Sasakamoose stabbed Gunville was not made clear, witnesses recalled a verbal disagreement between the two.

Alexander also read Sasakamoose had told people she had been with Gunville the day prior and had woken up to find him having sex with her. Gunville dismissed those allegations, and told everyone he was not that “kind of guy.”

Gunville also told one witness Sasakamoose had been high on meth.

Albert Gunville. (Facebook)

Victim impact statements

Family members have previously described Gunville as a hard-working father who enjoyed visiting and socializing and making time for others. Gunville, who had six children, grew up as one of nine siblings in the small community of Adanac, near Unity.

As part of Thursday’s sentencing hearing, a total of five emotional victim impact statements were read by his brother, ex-wife, and daughter. Emile Gunville described his relationship with his brother as very close and explained he can now only talk to his brother through a gravestone or pictures on the wall.

“I still hope it’s all just a bad dream,” he said.

Emile added his brother’s death has left a big hole in the family, and all because of what he believes is a selfish crime.

“There is no replacing him,” he said.

Gunville’s ex-wife Heather Bighead paused for a few moments before reading her statement, taking a long look at Sasakamoose. She explained how she waited a long time to talk to her, then proceeded to explain to Sasakamoose how she had ended the life of a man who was a friend, as well as a dad, an uncle, a cousin, and a brother.

“A part of me died that day too,” she explained.

She went on to explain how even after she and Gunville had separated, they remained close friends and respected each other. She also noted there are two grandchildren Gunville was never able to meet.

“He’ll never get to hold them. He’ll never get to play with them,” she explained.

Bighead also noted Saskamoose’s imminent release, and the fact Gunville would never walk again.

“You sentenced us to a maximum sentence to a whole life without him,” she said.

Gunville’s daughter Chelsea also read a statement, describing a life without her dad to talk to. She noted how it’s been three years without a visit or call from him on birthdays and Christmases.

“My disdain for you has turned into an emotional callous. What you did, and the pain you’ve put our family through is unforgivable and I will never forget what you did,” she said.

Defence

Defence lawyer Patrick McDougall outlined a number of Gladue factors that he explained led to Sasakamoose’s addictions issues, including the fact her own parents had attended residential school and had been drug addicts, often abandoning their children to go get drugs in the city.

In addition to suffering abuse at the hands of other family members, McDougall also explained how Sasakamoose had attended day school herself and at a young age, was sexually assaulted by the school’s custodian, who had paid her to have sex.

“It became a normalized situation,” he said.

Noting the number of Gunville’s family members in the courtroom, McDougall explained to the judge he could not recall a court case where he had seen so much support.

“It’s an incredibly tragic situation,” he said.

When given the opportunity to speak, Sasakamoose stood in the prisoner’s box and read from a written note. She apologized to Gunville’s family, asked for forgiveness, and said she was on the road to bettering herself.

“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” she said. “I swear. All the pain that I caused for the family, I’m so sorry. Find it in your heart to forgive me so I can move forward in life and start over again”

With credit for time spent in remand custody (68 months), Sasakamoose’s sentence works out to time served. During her sentencing submissions, Alexander cited three similar cases that resulted in sentences ranging from four to five and a half years.

It was also noted that while Sasakamoose had a lengthy criminal record, the majority of her offences had to do with property and all were connected to addiction issues.

Following her release from custody, Sasakamoose will be on probation for a period of 18 months and must abide by a number of conditions including abstaining from drugs and alcohol, attending counselling, and possessing a knife unless for eating.

She’s also prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms for a period of 10 years.

Prior to accepting the joint submission presented to her, Madame Justice Hildebrandt noted the over dozen members of Gunville’s family in court, and the emotion-filled victim impact statements, calling them a testament to the life Albert lived.

Post reaction

Following Thursday’s sentencing hearing, Gunville’s family members were visibly upset and embraced each other for support. Emile told paNOW the court process has been long and caused more damage.

“It’s really hard to put into words whether you think [the sentence is] enough. I don’t think it is. But there’s no real cost that can be put on losing someone you loved so much.”

Explaining the conclusion of the court proceedings now allows the family a chance to properly grieve, Emile noted he did not wish any ill will towards Sasakamoose, in fact, he hopes she can learn from her mistake and become a contributing member of society.

“If she doesn’t go down that path, then what little comfort I had knowing my brother’s death changed someone’s life, would be totally wasted away if she doesn’t change,” he said.

Gunville’s sister Genien Spiller expressed her frustration over the court delays and outcome.

“That wasn’t justice for Albert. That wasn’t justice for the family,” she said.

Calling it a sad day, Gunville’s ex-wife Heather Bighead explained when she had come to court, she had believed in her heart she had forgiven Sasakamoose.

“And I thought I had until l got here today and saw her. I’m not there yet,” she said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Gunville manslaughter case results in near six-year sentence

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