Alecus Quitte was sentenced Sept. 8 to six-and-a-half years in prison after a stabbing in Behchoko that left Archie Wedzin dead. 

On April 7 2019, Quitte and his spouse were at WedzinSA国际影视传媒檚 residence in Behchoko drinking vodka and smoking crack cocaine, according to an agreed statement of facts.

After a disagreement broke out between Quitte and Wedzin, Quitte was asked to leave and did. He came back a short while later and was allowed back in. 

When another argument arose, Quitte pulled out a knife and stabbed Wedzin twice, once around his collar bone and another time beneath his jaw. A forensic pathologist found that the gash around WedzinSA国际影视传媒檚 jaw was the fatal wound as the downward slant of the knife severed Wedzin's jugular. 

Quitte and his spouse initially told the police that they had been at WedzinSA国际影视传媒檚 residence on the night of the attack but left in the early hours of April 8 and only later learned of WedzinSA国际影视传媒檚 death.   

On May 9, Quitte's spouse made a second statement to the police telling them that Quitte had been responsible for the stabbing. He was arrested on May 14 and admitted that he had stabbed Wedzin but had no intention of killing him. 

Always opened his door

At the time of sentencing, several of both Wedzin and QuitteSA国际影视传媒檚 family members were at the NWT Supreme Court. 

Many sobbed through the proceedings.

In her victim impact statement, Nora Wedzin, sister to the deceased, told the court that since her brotherSA国际影视传媒檚 death, her SA国际影视传媒渓ife has changed a lot.SA国际影视传媒�

She said she now gets angry for no reason, often has no appetite, canSA国际影视传媒檛 get out of bed, and is SA国际影视传媒渆xhausted from crying with pain in (her) heart.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 always thought I was safe living in Behchoko,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪ince my brother ArchieSA国际影视传媒檚 life was taken from him, I donSA国际影视传媒檛 trust anybody.SA国际影视传媒�

Still, she said her brother would want her to try to forgive. 

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to carry the hurt around. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 why I want to forgive you,SA国际影视传媒� she said to Quitte.

Wedzin, 59 when he died, was a father and a grandfather. 

His daughter Glenda Apples also read her victim impact statement. 

She said that her father was someone who always SA国际影视传媒渢ook people in when they were in need.SA国际影视传媒�

Apples told the court that she has a video of her father laughing. 

SA国际影视传媒淥n days that I canSA国际影视传媒檛 take the loneliness, I listen and have a good cry,SA国际影视传媒� she said. 

Defence lawyer Jay Bran told the court that Quitte takes absolute responsibility for his actions. He said the only reason Quitte didn't come forward sooner was because SA国际影视传媒渉e was scared of what would happen to him and scared of what he had done.SA国际影视传媒�

Bran said Quitte told him that Wedzin was a good friend who had always opened his door to him. 

Quitte, 23, is of Tlicho heritage. A pre-sentence report indicated that, though he was not raised by his biological parents as his mother was very young at the time of his birth, he grew up in a "loving home."

When he was 12, Quitte started stealing alcohol from his family and SA国际影视传媒渆xperimentingSA国际影视传媒� with drinking. At 13, he began using marijuana and started using crack cocaine at 21. 

The offender has a five-year-old son who he said he plans on taking into his care once heSA国际影视传媒檚 released.  

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 sorry from the bottom of my heart for the pain that ISA国际影视传媒檝e caused,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲hatever sentence you give me, ISA国际影视传媒檓 ready to take my punishment.SA国际影视传媒�

Closer to near murder than near accident

Manslaughter is a homicide committed without the intention to cause death.

Crown prosecutor Alex Godfrey said sentencing for manslaughter is difficult, as offences range from near accidents to near murder. Both Crown and defence lawyers agreed that the use of a knife and stabbing the victimSA国际影视传媒檚 neck puts this case closer to near murder.

In an unusual proceeding, the victimSA国际影视传媒檚 mother asked to speak prior to sentencing.

Through an interpreter, Julie Wedzin said that, SA国际影视传媒淲hatever happens, I pray for that individual and love that individual... whatever happens, I still love each and everyone.SA国际影视传媒�

QuitteSA国际影视传媒檚 mother then also asked to say a few words. 

She expressed concern over her sonSA国际影视传媒檚 safety in a southern penitentiary and told the judge, SA国际影视传媒淚 just want you guys to look after my boy.SA国际影视传媒�

While the location of Quitte's incarceration is beyond Justice Louise Charbonneau's control, she said she understands his family's concerns and will recommend he serve in a Northern facility.

With the credit Quitte earned from his time already in custody, he has just over four-and-a-half years remaining in his sentence. 

SA国际影视传媒淢r. Wedzin is very much missed by many people,SA国际影视传媒� Charbonneau said in delivering her sentence. SA国际影视传媒淭hat will be the case probably for as long as those people live.SA国际影视传媒�

To Quitte she said, SA国际影视传媒淚 believe you completely when you say youSA国际影视传媒檙e sorry.SA国际影视传媒�

She told him that he cannot undo what he has done but he can be true to what he told the court when he said he SA国际影视传媒渨ants to live a healthy and sober life.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淵ou must be true to those words, otherwise they are just words,SA国际影视传媒� the judge said.