NORTH BATTLEFORD - The manslaughter sentencing hearing for Keenan Mirasty is now scheduled to go in late May of next year.
The dates of May 25 and 26, 2022,have been selected for the sentencing hearing, which will take place in provincial courtroom 2 starting at 9:30 a.m. both days.
The hearing dates were scheduled during an on-the-record case management before Judge Dan O’Hanlon in North Battleford provincial court on Friday, Dec. 3.
Michael Nolin appeared for Mirasty, while Brittany Goodman appeared for the Crown. Mirasty, who is in custody, was not required to attend.
Mirasty had previously pled guilty back in October, 2020 to manslaughter in connection to the March 2020 death of Sequin Mooswa in North Battleford.
Sentencing submissions were then presented in August before Judge O’Hanlon, with the Crown and defence presenting what was thought to be an agreed statement of facts.
However, that agreement fell apart in court that day, as defence counsel disputed the Crown's presentation of the facts of March 8, 2020 when Mooswa was killed.
The disagreement revolved around whether Mirasty had committed a second assault of Mooswa in the bedroom area of their house, which could be considered an aggravating factor that impacts the length of the sentence. The defence argued the second assault did not take place.
At a September court appearance, Judge O’Hanlon determined that the facts were not agreed to. He then scheduled a full sentencing hearing for Feb. 10, 2022, with case management on Dec. 3. The hope was that counsel could come to an agreement on facts in the meantime so that sentencing could proceed.
During the Dec. 3 appearance, counsel indicated they had still not come to an agreement. Accordingly, witnesses will need to be called by the Crown.
Instead of the Feb. 10 date, the sentencing hearing will be held over the two days in May, which will accommodate the extensive number of witnesses expected to testify. The indication on Friday is that eight witnesses will be called.
