A picture taken last year of Roy Lasas. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Resolution

Fatal stabbing at Mistawasis First Nation results in 7 year prison sentence

Dec 11, 2025 | 2:00 PM

A man who claimed he was acting in self-defence when he stabbed another man seven times with a kitchen knife, has received a seven year prison sentence.

With remand credit, Roy Lasas has roughly 13 months left to serve and will then be subject to two years of probation.

Thursday morning’s sentencing at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert follows a conviction last April for manslaughter and comes over five years after the death of Troy Watson at Mistawasis First Nation.

“The gravity of the crime is serious,” read Justice Meschishnick.

The actual trial wrapped up a year ago and through testimony it was revealed that at the time of the altercation, both men were high on drugs and had engaged in a physical confrontation after Watson refused to leave the residence. Watson had also attempted to steal a cell phone.

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After the stabbing, Watson either dragged himself or was dragged by Lasas outside the house. There was blood found on the door as well as on the porch steps.

Troy Watson was 36 years old. (Facebook)

The autopsy autopsy later revealed one of the stab wounds had penetrated his heart. Another three were to the abdomen area and there were puncture wounds to the back.

“Mr Lasas’s emotions that led to the stabbing did not dissipate after the stabbing,” Meschishnick wrote in his decision. “After Troy was lying on the ground at the base of the stairs, Mr. Lasas kicked him. He did not at any time offer or attempt to assist Troy.”

Lasas was picked up by a friend in a vehicle and was not arrested until January 2022. He confessed his crime to the friend, as well as to an undercover police officer at the men’s jail.

Meanwhile, the people who had been with Watson earlier in the day testified the victim was also intoxicated (possibly both drugs and alcohol), and was acting very aggressively that day, arguing with a gas station attendant and later a slapping a community security officer in the face.

Mitigating factors considered for the sentence included Lasa’s intergenerational trauma, young age and lack of a criminal record.

“He was protecting his home and his brother notwithstanding he did so in an unreasonable fashion,” Meschishnick wrote.

Typically the range of sentencing for manslaughter varies from four to 14 years. After the conviction, Lasas told the court he was focused on sobriety and being a good father for his children.

On Thursday, Justice Meschishnick encouraged him to follow through on that promise

“And keep in mind you can’t do these things on your own,” he said, adding with supports he has a chance to be successful.

Conditions of the probation will include sobriety, a curfew and he can’t possess a knife unless for eating or for work purposes.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell