Candace Gail Moostoos leaves court on Sept. 26 Photo by Chelsea Laskowski
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains graphic content that may disturb some readers.
A jury in Melfort has found Candace Moostoos guilty of manslaughter in the death of Alpheus Burns.
Moostoos fatally stabbed the 70-year-old man in his apartment in May of 2015.
She has been found not guilty of murder after a trial that lasted nearly two weeks.
At trial, defence argued that Moostoos’ actions were provoked by comments Burns made that night.
Specifically, Moostoos believed Burns was telling her that he gave her AIDS in the past. According to defence, after that Moostoos stabbed without thinking.
They’d also argued that Moostoos was drunk and high at the time, which affected her ability to form intent to kill.
Testimony at trial stated that Burns had a past of sexually assaulting Moostoos and several women she knew when they were young girls.
Both Burns and Moostoos were from James Smith Cree Nation.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Dec. 9.
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