Warning, this article contains graphic content.
A Fort Liard woman on trial for the stabbing death of her partner was found guilty of manslaughter.
Selena Lomen appeared at the Yellowknife courthouse by video on Friday afternoon.
She had previously pled guilty to manslaughter, but the crown argued for second-degree murder.
In the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2018, Lomen stabbed a kitchen knife into the chest of her partner Danny Klondike, who was also the father of her child.
In order to be charged with second-degree murder, it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the assailant intended to kill, or intended to cause enough harm knowing it would likely result in death.
Justice Andrew Mahar told the court he had been left with a reasonable doubt as to whether Lomen intended to kill Klondike.
Very few details are known as to what occurred moments before Klondike’s death. Lomen says she doesn’t recall what led up to the event, court heard this was either from intoxication or trauma.
Duane Praught, crown attorney, argued Lomen was angry at Klondike as he had been drinking at a party the two had attended on the night of the incident. Klondike had also allegedly locked the door of their house, forcing Lomen to wait up to 20 minutes for him to wake up and let her in.
Praught alleged Lomen immediately walked into the kitchen, grabbed the knife and stabbed Klondike.
Lomen’s lawyer, Peter Harte, argued there was likely a confrontation and she may have used the knife as self-defence.
Mahar said he believes there was likely an argument in the moments leading up to the incident.
Court heard after Lomen had stabbed Klondike she immediately ran for help. Justice Mahar says this is one the factors that gives him a reasonable doubt that she had intended to kill Klondike when she stabbed him.
Mahar said his decision doesn’t excuse Lomen’s behaviour. His decision is based on whether she had intended to drive the knife into Klondike’s chest.
He said she escalated the situation by grabbing a knife for what was likely an argument left her child in the house covered in its fathers blood, while attempting to get help.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled on May 31.
