A Manitoulin Island murder trial wrapped up this week.
The homicide case dealt with the 2015 stabbing death of Percy Simon.
All three people charged in the case pleaded guilty this week.
33-year-old Percy Simon was stabbed and died in a ditch after an alcohol fueled altercation broke out after night of partying in Wiikwemkoong.
His family, including his four children now ages 4-17 and his mother, Nancy Simon, were in court Wednesday.
“My heart is still broken. I gotta learn to forgive them in time, but not right at this moment.” said Nancy.
At one point, three people were facing first-degree murder charges, but on Monday they pleaded guilty to lesser charges
Tammy Trudeau pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm. She was sentenced to a total of nine months in jail.
Robert Beckett is her lawyer.
“It reflects properly her participation in the event, not that she was responsible for his death, but she had responsibility in actions that led to it.” said Beckett.
Byron Kagige pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. He will be sentenced at the end of September.
Travis Wemigwans plead guilty to manslaughter.
He has been in custody since his arrest and will serve another two and a half years in jail to complete his sentence of seven years, receiving credit for time served before the trial.
Michael Lacey is Wemigwans’ defence lawyer.
“It was very clear, that this was not a case where my client Travis wanted to kill his friend. It arose in very horrible circumstances, alcohol use, drug use, there were elements of provocation, and self-defence and at the end of the day, this result today, properly reflects the moral responsibility of my client.” said Lacey.
The judge heard evidence that Simon attacked Wemigwans and slashed his face with a broken beer bottle just prior to the fatal stabbing.
