Judge gives 8-year sentence to Winnipeg man in 'horrible, random' stabbing death of 22-year-old

A man who stabbed another man to death at random in Winnipeg last year has been given an eight-year sentence for manslaughter during a poignant hearing that included victim impact statements from the deceased's family members.

Cory Watt, 25, was sentenced to eight years in prison on Oct. 15, after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the 2023 fatal stabbing of a 22-year-old man, according to court recordings reviewed by CBC News.

Watt swung a knife as he approached the victim and his girlfriend in Winnipeg during the early hours of May 30, 2023, according to an agreed statement of facts.

The victim and a friend used bear spray on Watt twice, before Watt stabbed the victim three times in the left side of his chest, court heard. The man was rushed to hospital, where he later died from his wounds.

"No one here is left untouched by such a horrible, random killing," provincial court Judge Cynthia Devine said.

Although the victim's family might not agree with Watt's punishment, Devine said the sentence jointly recommended by the Crown and defence is "not a light sentence."

"We do not punish people more than what's necessary," she said. "A 24-year-old is going to spend a third more of his life incarcerated. That's a long time."

'Devastating, soul-crushing and life-altering'

The emotional sentencing hearing included impact statements from several of the victim's family members. None can be named due to a publication ban.

His mother described losing her eldest son as "devastating, soul-crushing and life-altering."

"The fact that someone has taken my son's life in such a horrific way will haunt me all of my days," she told the court. "I feel I've aged 10 years since [his] death, and that the person I used to be has faded away, perhaps forever."

Her son's death has caused deep pain and grief for her family, and they feel isolated and abandoned by their friends and other family members, she said. They also fear walking alone through Winnipeg's core, particularly at night.

"I think of my son every day, I miss him every day, and the only thing that keeps me going is that my children need me — and that he would want me to," she said.

The victim's aunt described him as kind, caring and her protector.

"[He] had so much life left to live, and in the blink of an eye, it was all gone. I will never understand why," she said. "I don't think we will ever feel safe in this city again."

'I made a very bad mistake'

Watt was initially charged with second-degree murder, but a plea bargain dropped it to manslaughter, which Watt pleaded guilty to on what was supposed to be the first day of his preliminary hearing.

"I just want to say I am deeply sorry for what I did," Watt told the victim's family in court. "There's nothing I can do to bring him back, but I know I made a very bad mistake. I am so sorry."

Defence lawyer Ethan Pollock called the victim's death "incredibly violent" and "very random."

He said Watt had a "very unstable and turbulent upbringing" that included abuse by an alcoholic father. He said Watt also became an alcoholic, and that he started drinking as a teen because his father would encourage him to.

"Alcohol has been the plague in his life," Pollock said.

Both of Watt's parents are Indigenous, and a Gladue report has been ordered, but Watt doesn't know which communities his parent's families are from, Pollock said.

"I think that this disconnect is a representation of Gladue hallmarks, where young, Indigenous offenders aren't really sure where their family comes from, or how colonialism has impacted them directly."

'Heal the best you can,' judge tells family

Judge Devine said a criminal trial ran the risk of an acquittal for Watt.

While a trial may also have meant a second-degree murder conviction and subsequent life sentence for Watt, she said the murder charge could have been reduced to manslaughter because of the alcohol and lack of planning involved in the killing.

A trial might have dragged on for months or years, and witness testimony could have created more uncertainty for the victim's family, she said.

"For what it's worth, this joint recommendation has provided at least some certainty," Devine said.

"You will leave today and you will know that this is it. He has taken responsibility, he has been sentenced and he has been punished, and that part of it is done," she said.

"The rest of it is up to all of you together, and separately, to heal the best you can, and to continue to embrace that beautiful young man who was part of your life for so long."