Mother of party stabbing victim disappointed by charges against youth

The young man accused of brutally stabbing a high school student at a party last month had his first court date this morning.

He is charged with aggravated assault and carrying a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The victim’s family said they would have preferred to see him charged with attempted murder.

The suspect’s name cannot be printed under Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The youth did not appear in court personally this morning, as he currently resides in a different province. The court heard he was released from custody after attending the local RCMP detachment along with his parents. The young man’s case was adjourned until mid-January to give his defence lawyer time to access and review the Crown’s evidence against the teen.

The charges stem from an incident at a party in the R.M. of Buckland in the early-morning hours of Oct. 15. The female victim, a Prince Albert high school student, was stabbed multiple times leaving her in hospital suffering serious injuries. Both the Prince Albert RCMP and the victim’s mother urged any witnesses to come forward, but there appeared to be little progress in the case until police announced the young man was charged Nov. 24.

Event Centre funding

City may hire lobbyist for event centre money

7h ago

International honours

Raiders' Kubiesa to represent Czechia at IIHF U18 Men's World Championship

10h ago

Learn the signs

How often should you change your brakes?

14h ago

Although the suspect was not in court this morning, the victim and her family sat in the gallery as the matter was adjourned. Outside the courtroom, the teen victim told paNOW she has largely recovered from the physical damage, but said she is still struggling with the emotional fallout of the alleged attack.

The victim’s mother, who paNOW has agreed not to name for the sake of her family’s privacy, said she was glad to see the young man finally before the courts, but was disappointed the charges against him weren’t more serious.

“It’s a heck of a lot more than assault,” she said. “It’s attempted murder.”

The mother said her daughter suffered at least five stab wounds during the attack, which left her requiring surgery. The mother said she plans to contact the Crown to see if more serious charges can be laid.

The charges against the young man have not been tested before the courts, and he is presumed innocent at this stage.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews