Tense, emotional courtroom as Saskatoon man sentenced for manslaughter
It was an emotional afternoon at Saskatchewan Provincial Court for the sentencing of 28-year-old Joel Yuzicapi, who was charged in relation to the death of 27-year-old Preston Logan Thomas.
Yuzicapi had pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Nov. 1, and on Friday was sentenced to six years and six-and-a-half months in jail with time served.
The judge also ordered he provided a DNA sample suitable for forensic analysis and a lifetime firearms ban.
Thomas’ mother, Lillian Thomas, entered the courtroom with a picture collage of her son, saying “he took my baby away” in reference to Yuzicapi, and telling him Thomas’ two children no longer have a father.
Thomas’ step-father was seated close to the prisoner’s box, and began taunting Yuzicapi saying “gutless” and “tough guy.”
It was a tense atmosphere that led to yelling from some in attendance in the room, including the families of both Thomas and Yuzicapi, with several deputy sheriffs stepping in to separate them and deescalate the situation.
A short break in the proceedings was taken, with the judge addressing the gallery saying that kind of behaviour would not be tolerated.
Following the break, victim impact statements were read, with Thomas’ mother saying Yuzicapi “should do better behind bars” so he could change and “be as good as my son was.”
Yuzicapi apologized to Thomas’ family, saying not a day goes by that he wishes he could take back what he had done, and he’d be dealing with it for the rest of his life.
Before sentencing, Thomas’ mother broke down into sobbing and left the courtroom, saying “I don’t hate you Joel, I don’t hate anybody.”
The agreed upon facts of the case say police were called to the Saskatoon Inn on Airport Drive the morning of Aug. 1, 2020, finding Thomas on the floor dead in room 723.
Thomas and Yuzicapi, who were known to each other and didn’t get along, were part of a small group who were in the room celebrating a birthday.
An altercation led to an intoxicated Yuzicapi stabbing Thomas twice; once in the lower left chest and once just below the collarbone.
An autopsy report revealed Thomas died of blood loss due to the stab wound to the lower chest, after the blade perforated his heart.
Court heard Yuzicapi was unlawfully at large and had a history of violence, and fled the scene.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It’s discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.