By Andrew de Souza

Two-year sentence for stabbing at Pen

Feb 28, 2011 | 3:40 PM

An inmate has received a two-year prison sentence for his involvement in the multiple-stabbing of a fellow inmate.

This morning, Tristan Lee Raphael, 28, of the Muskowekwan First Nation, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault.

The court heard that on Sept. 1, 2008, Raphael was an inmate in the B-range of the maximum security section of the Saskatchewan Penitentiary near Prince Albert.

Raphael and nine other inmates were in the range’s common room when, at around 8:30 p.m., an allegedly pre-meditated attack broke out, which Raphael was a part of.

During the altercation, the court heard that Raphael stabbed fellow inmate Murray Oliver Dorian around 12 times with a homemade knife, known as a shank.

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As well, Raphael punched Dorian several times.

During the sentencing hearing, the Crown prosecutor told the court it should be considered an aggravating factor that Raphael would commit such a crime while in prison.

“He doesn’t care that there’s two stationary cameras, or windows on three sides, he’s going to commit this crime regardless,” she said.

“He’s an aggressive person that needs to be separated from society.”

She told the court that in addition to the crime before the court, Raphael had a lengthy criminal record that had, since starting in 1995, grown to 58 offences, including assaults, weapon possession charges and breaking-and-entering.

She entered a joint submission with Raphael’s lawyer for a sentence of 44 months, less the time Raphael had served in remand while awaiting sentencing.

Judge Ronald Mills told Raphael that he was sceptical that a prison sentence would help him come to his senses, but said he would remain hopeful of that.

“I can see from your record you started as a penny-ante criminal and started to escalate… and with this crime you decided to graduate to serious offences,” said Mills, adding if Raphael continues on the same path, he will end up spending much of his life behind bars.

In the end, Raphael was sentenced to 44 months in prison less 20 months of credit for time served in remand. As well, Raphael was given 18 months probation.

“It’s your call now,” said Mills.

“You’ll decide if you’re going to maintain the activity you’ve been involved with so far.”

Raphael will spend time in a provincial facility. He is currently awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in the stabbing death of Daniel Wolfe.

adesouza@panow.com