Shyanna Michel was sentenced on Monday at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘These are horrible facts’: violent assault at Prince Albert apartment building proceeds to sentencing

May 13, 2024 | 2:00 PM

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following story contains graphic depictions of violence

A woman who participated in a violent assault at a Prince Albert apartment building, in which the lone female victim was burned, stabbed, and tortured, has avoided further jail time and will serve her sentence in the community.

Shyanna Michel, 19, appeared Monday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

After entering guilty pleas to assault and confinement, she received an 18-month conditional sentence order (CSO), to be followed by 18 months probation. She also won’t receive any credit for the 76 days she’s spent in pre-sentence custody.

The assault, which occurred in early January at the Rivercrest apartment building, was spread out over three separate suites.

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According to facts read in court, Crown Prosecutor Doug Howell said the crime was gang-related and was motivated in part by money that had been held in trust. After getting robbed of cash and her cell phone the victim was then burned in the cheek and ear with a hot knife.

She was then taken to a separate and after being forced into a bathtub, had her right pinky finger cut off. She was also given an ultimatum to either cut off a section of her tongue or have someone else cut it all off. The victim chose the first option.

A picture taken at the time of the incident. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

While this was unfolding, a fire occurred at the apartment building and all the residents were ushered out by fire crews. Escorted by two of her attackers, the woman was taken across the street to the nearby A&W restaurant and told to keep quiet or get killed.

Later upon returning to a third-level suite at the building, the victim’s hands and face were taped up and she was stabbed repeatedly in the legs with pocket knives. For her part, Shyanna Michel helped tape up the victim and also punched the victim a couple of times in the head.

Later, the victim was driven out to a location near the Highway 2 north overpass and with only the clothes on her back, told to walk to Shellbrook. She was soon after spotted and rescued by a mobile crisis worker. Howell noted that at the time there were visible signs she had been beaten and her face was swollen.

Monday’s sentence represented a joint submission from the Crown and the Defence, and Doug Howell noted they had taken into account the fact Michel had no criminal record, and was more of a follower in this matter.

“She’s been persuaded to get involved,” he said.

Michel’s lawyer Roman Iatsenko noted at the time of the offence she had been homeless for about a year and was struggling with addictions to drugs and alcohol. He also said she’s found her time spent in custody to be beneficial and upon release, plans to finish her high school education and seek out addiction programming.

Noting concerns with whether Michel could be safely released, and about the approved residence in Prince Albert, Judge Healey asked what could be said to support the suggested sentence.

“These are horrible facts,” he said.

In response, Howell explained that had the case gone to trial there would have been evidentiary challenges concerning the victim’s memory and also the fact there were so many people involved, all consuming drugs.

When asked in court if she had anything to say, Michel shook her head and said “no.”

Judge Healey then asked Michel to imagine being in the victim’s shoes, adding even though she was not directly involved in the more violent aspects of the assault, she still knew what was happening.

“It would be hard to imagine the horror or terror going through her mind,” he said.

Healey then noted how he had been assured by Michel’s lawyer she had learned her lesson and was focusing on taking a more positive path.

“I truly hope that’s true,” he said, reminding Michel that had the case gone to trial and she was found guilty she would face prison time.

Conditions of the CSO will include a curfew at night, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, assessment for addictions and anger management, and 100 hours of community service.

She’s also subject to a 10-year ban, prohibiting the use or possession of any firearms, ammunition or explosives.

Also charged in the case were Jordana Napope, Chelsea Kakakaway, Ryan Morrison and Shyanne Bear, who also had their matters spoken to on Monday and remanded to May 21.

Morrison’s lawyer Ron Piche noted an eagerness to set his client’s case for trial.

All the accused have been charged with aggravated assault, forcible confinement, assault causing bodily harm, robbery, and uttering threats.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell