Kemp Cres. murder results in 13 year prison sentence

The case dates back to July 1, 2024. Members of the Prince Albert police service were called to a home on Kemp Cres. and found Norman Wenzel lying on the back step and he was covered in blood.

Gardiner was arrested a month later and according to facts read in court by Prosecutor Manmeet Rai, security cameras showed two men entering the garage where Wenzel was residing.

“These two men were inside the garage for less than a minute,” he said.

Soon after the physical altercation, the same two men are seen running off and Wenzel stumbles towards the back door of the home. His calls for help were responded to his by his daughter who opened the door and then called 9-1-1.

Wenzel later passed away in hospital.

Norman Wenzel. (Image Credit: Facebook.)

Rai explained Gardiner’s ex- girlfriend provided a statement to police that while showing her a picture of a paNOW article,had confessed to what he had done.

One of the suspects captured by the security wearing was wearing a jersey with the numbers “39” on it. Police who had previous dealings with Gardiner were able to match the jersey with one shown on his social media page.

Rai explained in court the numbers “39” were actually code for a street gang.

Inside a vehicle searched by police, police also recovered a torn piece of paper with Gardiner’s email etched onto it.

The motive for the killing was not completely clear in the agreed statement of facts, but Pfefferle alluded to a drug deal gone bad and men who were highly intoxicated. Pfefferle, who took on the case last month, added a lot of work went into this joint submission.

“He’s guilty of no more,” Pfefferle said, referring to Gardiner’s role in the assault and adding the co-accused was the one who accepted responsibility for causing the fatal wound. Pfefferle also expressed Gardiner’s feeling of remorse.

“If he was sober, he wouldn’t have done it.”

When provided the opportunity to speak, Gardiner stood in the prisoner’s box and then turned and faced Wenzel’s family members who were sitting in the front row of the gallery.

“I am truly sorry,” he said.

Gardiner’s initial trial started last June, but was brought to an abrupt halt after nine days when he fired his lawyer, alleging he caught him sleeping.

Pfefferle, who picked up the case soon after told paNOW the previous lawyer’s issues may have been medical in nature. Recognizing the costs and emotional impact associated with another trial, he added he and his team recognized the importance of a quick turn around.

“When this occurred we knew the pieces had to be picked up quickly.”

Multiple police vehicles responded to the scene. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Victim impact statements

As part of Thursday’s sentencing hearing, some emotional victim impact statements were read by a member of the Prince Albert Police victims services unit.

Wenzel’s father Jim wrote his son was a good mechanic and was also good at fixing appliances. And despite losing his sight after a stroke suffered years earlier, had shown a will to live.

“We didn’t understand why or who could do this.”

The father also acknowledged Noman’s four children and said his son loved to teach the kids new things like cooking and sewing.

“The kids still cry to this day for their dad,” he said.

One of Wenzel’s daughters said her life was deeply impacted by her father’s death and stated she gets emotional thinking about the fact he won’t be there to see her graduate.

Another daughter confirmed she still has issues sleeping.

“I couldn’t get the image of my dad lying out there out of my head.”

Outside the courthouse, Wenzel’s spouse Robyn Smith commented on the sentence which went slightly above the normal range for a manslaughter conviction.

“It’s not fair at all,” she said, adding she didn’t accept Gardiner’s apology.

“He was man enough to say he’s sorry but its not gonna bring [Norman] back.”

What’s next?

Also charged in the case is Rylan Hansen, whose matters are still at the pre-trial stage. The next scheduled hearing is Aug. 7.

In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Gardiner also has an outstanding manslaughter charge that relates to the death of Travis Caisse in August, 2024.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

Kemp Cres. murder results in 13 year prison sentence

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