BOYLE — A 27-year-old man will spend the next six months behind bars after stabbing another in the neck in an unprovoked attack in 2022.
On Feb. 11 in Boyle Court of Justice, Jamal Larose was sentenced to 20 months, or 600 days in jail, and 18 months of probation for what Crown prosecutor Taylor Noble called an act of “gratuitous and inexplicable violence.”
Larose spent 287 days in pre-trial custody, and was given credit for 431 enhanced days of time served. He is left with 169 days, or under 6 months to serve.
Represented by Gabriel Unah, Larose entered a guilty plea to the charge of aggravated assault at an earlier court appearance, and as a result of the joint submission two additional charges of failure to comply with release conditions were withdrawn.
Court heard on Sept. 1, 2022, Boyle RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing on Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement. Two officers arrived to find Randy Mercier bleeding profusely from a three-inch stab wound on the neck and EMS personnel preparing to transport the victim to hospital.
Mercier told police he was sitting on his deck when Larose approached the house on his bike. Larose aggressively approached the victim with a small knife, stabbing the him in the neck. After Mercier fell to the deck, Larose proceeded to kick and punch him before fleeing on foot — events captured by Mercier’s security cameras.
The victim walked to a neighbours residence to seek help after the attack, and was driven back to his house and given first aid until first responders arrived. Larose was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the attack, and had skipped doses of prescribed medication.
“This seems to be unprovoked and random violence,” said Noble. “Mr. Larose proceeded to kick and punch Mr. Mercier when we was extremely vulnerable in what seems like gratuitous and inexplicable violence.”
While she acknowledged the early guilty plea as a sign of remorse, Noble said the Crown’s case was strong due to video evidence, and highlighted the nature of the attack as an aggravating factor to consider in sentencing.
“A stab to the neck is incredibly serious and can certainly be deadly; and the further attack afterwards with the punching and kicking only heightens the severity of the offense.”
Larose’s Gladue report was not read into the record, but elements identified in the report included a family history of residential school, violence, drug abuse, and Larose’s own mental health diagnoses.
“It also shows repeated losses and trauma that Mr. Larose suffered as he grew up,” said Unah. “It also shows the use of substance at an early age, and the first time he was diagnosed with schizophrenia was at the young age of 13.”
Unah highlighted his clients intentions to seek treatment and improve himself, evidenced in his request for resources and his forfeiture of release on bail.
Noble maintained that while Gladue factors are important to consider, the attack itself had wider implications than injuries to the victim.
“It can’t be overlooked that Mr. Larose impacted not only a fellow member of his community, but the community as a whole is impacted by this level of serious and random violence,” said Noble.
Justice Robert Shaigec accepted the joint submission, acknowledging the mental health and family history factors at play, but emphasized the potential outcome to attacks like the one on Mercier.
“On the other side of the coin is a very, very serious offense, an unprovoked attack with a knife wherein the victim was stabbed in the neck,” said Shaigec. “The difference between his recovery and far more tragic circumstances is probably a matter of luck as opposed to anything else.”
Larose’s probation includes conditions to pursue assessment, treatment and counselling for psychiatric conditions, and no-go and no contact order for the victim. The conditions also stipulate Larose must be under the care of a physician or psychologist and take all medication as prescribed.
He will also be subject to a 10-year weapons prohibition and must provide a DNA sample to police. After his time in custody is complete, he has plans to live in Lac La Biche.
“I am truly sorry for what I did,” said Larose, appearing in person. “I take all responsibility for my own actions and I wish to do better in the future.”
