From left to right: Owen Sanderson, Sophie Sanderson and Linda Sanderson.

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘I wake up everyday and my heart breaks’: man found not criminally responsible for death of cousin

Dec 15, 2021 | 5:00 PM

A man who stabbed his cousin and close friend over 30 times before leaving him to die has been found not criminally responsible of second degree murder.

That was outcome Wednesday at the trial for Silas Starblanket at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. The 21-year-old had been charged with second degree murder in the August 2019 death of Evander Sanderson.

According to the agreed statement of facts, Starblanket had gone to Sanderson’s home in the city’s midtown area and asked to speak to Evander, explaining it was “urgent.”

Roughly 30 minutes later, the two men left the residence together, which was typical, as Evander would often walk Silas home. However in a nearby alley, Starblanket would proceed to stab Sanderson before running home. The investigation later revealed Starblanket used two knives during the attack, chasing and stabbing Sanderson until Sanderson fell to the ground.

Starblanket, who showed family members where they could find Sanderson, and was very forthright with police about what he had done, explained “the demons” made him do it, and they would hurt or kill him if he didn’t hurt Evander.

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Evander Sanderson. (Facebook)

According to evidence heard in court during the trial, Starblanket suffers from schizophrenia and was incapable of knowing what he was doing at the time of the incident. Outside the courtroom, Sanderson’s father told paNOW the verdict was not fair.

“Mental health and addictions are a very serious issue that plague our communities, but they should not be used as a defence for a murder trial, especially one this brutal,” Owen Sanderson said.

At the commencement of Wednesday’s hearing, the Crown declined to offer final arguments, explaining that it would not affect the final expected outcome. Explaining that the family does not wish to spread any hate or ill will, Owen said the family feels let down by the justice system.

“The only justice we can give our son is to continue to live our lives in a humble, respectful, loving, caring and forgiving manner,” he said.

Sanderson also mentioned that his son was scheduled to complete a job interview the day of his death, and had future career plans of joining the Canadian Armed Forces.

Victim impact statements

During Wednesday’s hearing, several members of the Sanderson family were given the opportunity to read victim impact statements, including Sanderson’s mother. Due to a publication ban, paNOW cannot publish her name or the name of any other family member mentioned in the statement of facts or who spoke during the trial. Fighting back tears, she described how her worst nightmare happened on the day of her son’s death.

“I wake up everyday and my heart breaks, knowing he’s gone,” she said.

The mother also explained how Silas was also welcome in their home and had even shared the same room with her children.

“When he murdered my son, he stole my trust,” she read.

Sanderson’s father also read a statement and described how much he misses his son, acknowledging he can no longer hold his son’s hand or hug him.

During the reading of the emotional statements, Starblanket sat in the prisoner’s box, his head lowered.

Pending the availability of a bed, he’ll soon be transported back to Sask. Hospital in North Battleford, where he’ll remain for at least the next 90 days, and whose release will be at the future discretion of the federal review panel.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell