Dennis Hyman, 64, was pronounced deceased at the Eastview Trailer Court on July 28, 2019. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Family loss

‘We will never have closure’: Prince Albert manslaughter case results in 11-year prison sentence

Apr 23, 2021 | 2:00 PM

A woman responsible for the death of a man she had recently met, told the court she is not a monster.

Lucinda Smith, 48, appeared Thursday at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench and received an 11-year prison sentence in connection to the death of Dennis Hyman on July 28, 2019. At a separate hearing on Feb. 10, Smith entered a guilty plea to a single charge of manslaughter.

According to the statement of facts read in court Hyman and Smith had recently started “seeing” each other and been out drinking the night prior. The pair had gone to a bar and the casino, before deciding to go back to Smith’s trailer in the nearby East View Trailer court. Both Hyman and Smith were “highly intoxicated” at the time.

In the early morning hours a neighbour heard a “loud unidentified” bang, followed by a woman scream “what are we going to do?” Roughly six hours later Smith emerged from the trailer, went to her family’s residence and told them there was a “dead body in her house.”

Playing music was one of Dennis Hyman’s favourite hobbies. (Submitted photo/Hyman family)

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Hyman, 64, was found dead when RCMP arrived at the trailer. According to autopsy results, he died from excessive blood loss due to internal injuries to the head and neck areas. Police found blood in the foyer area of the trailer, as well as the kitchen and on the walls, indicating Hyman may have been “trying to get up.” A knife and hammer were also found inside the residence with blood on them, and some blood-soaked clothes were located in the laundry room.

When interviewed by police, Smith said Hyman had tried to “fight her” and squeezed her, before falling off the step and hitting his head. Smith also explained she “blacked out” and woke up to find lots of blood and a “horrible smell.” Smith also told police she did not intentionally try to kill Hyman. Crown prosecutor Kristen Hubbard said the crown could not prove intent, given a number of factors including no witnesses, and the considerable level of intoxication.

“We may never know what happened on that night,” she said.

Explaining the aggravating factors of the case, Hubbard said this was a violent attack and added Smith’s actions could not be considered “accidental”, given that she would have deliberately grabbed the knife and the hammer.

Victim impact statements

Over 25 minutes were dedicated to hearing emotional statements from the victim’s family. Reading a statement on behalf of her mother, Hyman’s daughter Deneen used the word “monster” to describe Smith.

“You took that wonderful blessing of a man from me,” she read. “You are such an evil person.”

Hyman receives a kiss from his first great granchild. *This picture has been partially obscured. (Submitted photo/Hyman family)

A photo taken of the location where Hyman’s ashes were spread. (Submited photo/Darlene Isbister)

Dennis Hyman had six children, 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family described Hyman as a kind and caring man who deeply loved his family, and always made sure to clear a swimming hole in the summer and a place to skate in the winter. Hyman’s daughter Darlene Isbister explained her father (Hyman) always encouraged his granddaughter to sing, but now she can’t find the strength.

“A little bit of all of us died with him,” she read. “We will never have closure.”

Isbister mentioned Hyman was also a passionate hockey fan who encouraged his grandson to play hockey, but will now not get the chance to see him play in the WHL.

Defence submissions

Defence lawyer Dale Blenner-Hassett explained his client was deeply remorseful for what she had done.

“She regrets what happened that night,” he said.

Blenner-Hassett also explained Smith has been under psychological care since the time of the incident and was receiving treatment for “serious mental issues” that include addictions and multiple personalities. When given the opportunity to speak in court, Smith stood up in the prisoner’s box and apologized to the family.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like that,” she said. “I am not a monster.”

The decision

The range of sentencing for a manslaughter charge is four to 12 years and Justice R.C. Mills said he found no reason not to accept the joint submission for 11 years.

“This was a tragedy for everyone involved,” he said, adding the case represents another example of how substance abuse destroys lives.

Outside the courtroom, Hyman’s family spoke briefly with paNOW and said the sentence is not long enough.

“Eleven years is a small sentence considering we have to live a lifetime without our dad,” Isbister said, adding the family also does not believe Smith is remorseful.

Isbister was surrounded in court by family and friends which she said made the emotional day a bit easier to bear.

“I am very thankful for the support we have had from family and friends,” she said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell