Closing arguments heard at Ermine murder trial
The often-emotional murder trial of Robyn Laura Ermine came to a close this afternoon as a Prince Albert jury heard final arguments from both sides.
Ermine, 30, is facing a charge of second-degree murder after the 2015 stabbing death of her 27-year-old fiancée Evan Tylan Bear at the couple’s shared home on Muskoday First Nation. Although neither side disputed that Ermine struck the fatal blow, her lawyer Adam Masiowski said the case was clear-cut self-defence while Crown prosecutor Jeff Lubyk argued Ermine was a willing participant in a domestic fight and used unreasonable force.
Masiowski said Ermine was being choked by Bear when she reached behind her and, thinking she had grabbed a knife sharpening rod, struck out in defence with a kitchen knife resulting in the fatal cut to Bear’s neck.
“If you accept she was choked and couldn’t breathe, nearly any level of force would be justified,” he said.