Accused testifies she was 'scared for her life' when she fatally stabbed her cousin in western Manitoba

Rennie Kristyna Williams told a judge Thursday that she was "scared for her life" when she fatally stabbed her cousin in December 2022.

Williams, 28, testified in her own defence after pleading not guilty by reason of self-defence to second-degree murder in the stabbing death of her cousin Naomi Hope Williams, 26, on Dec. 9, 2022, in Sioux Valley First Nation, where both women lived.

"I was scared of what she would do with the knife. I just didn't think she would do anything with it," Rennie Williams testified in response to questions by Crown lawyer Brett Rach on Thursday.

Justice Elliot Leven is hearing the trial, which started Jan. 6, in the Manitoba Court of King's Bench in Brandon.

Williams's testimony wrapped up the scheduled hearings this month. Closing arguments will be heard March 10.

Williams testified that she had given birth to a baby and went all out on Dec. 9, drinking and using methamphetamine with her cousin, because she had been sober for so long and wanted to celebrate her freedom.

Their night of celebrations swung between raucous laughter and fighting as emotions ran high when Naomi goaded her about her brother's death by suicide, Rennie told court.

At one point, Rennie showed her cousin a new knife she had bought for protection, she said. 

As the night wore on, they ended up at Chad Roscelli's home in Sioux Valley, where they continued to fight as Naomi needled her, she testified.

They used more methamphetamine and Naomi became increasingly angry, at one point throwing a plate at Rennie, she told the court.

Roscelli testified on Jan. 7 that the two women's arguing escalated into a physical fight the night Naomi died. 

Rennie testified that Naomi asked for the knife as they sat in Roscelli's basement, doing meth. 

Rennie said she handed the weapon over, even though Naomi was getting increasingly angry and agitated.

Their fight moved from the basement of Roscelli's home to an upstairs bedroom as they wrestled for control of the knife, Rennie said.

She had to subdue Naomi and get the knife because she was "scared for her life," she testified.

'Only had 1 option'

When Rennie got hold of the knife, she immediately stabbed her cousin, she said. 

"I only had one option, and that was to stab her," Rennie told defence lawyer Bob Harrison from the witness box. "I just did it."

In his cross-examination, Crown lawyer Brett Rach asked why she didn't leave or get help from the people in the house.

"I didn't think it was fatal," Rennie responded.

Bach referenced a previous outburst Rennie had in court, calling a witness in the trial a "F--king rat." He suggested it was a possible indication Rennie has trouble controlling her emotions, which is even more challenging when drinking and using meth.

Rennie repeatedly told the court that while she was intoxicated that night, she did not black out and she could remember events and control her actions.

After the stabbing, Rennie saw Naomi was bleeding so knew she was injured badly, she testified, but when pressed by Rach, she said she did nothing to get help for her cousin. She later said she thought security was on its way, because Roscelli had called for help.

She testified that she was in shock after the stabbing and, still drunk and high, she left the knife in Roscelli's home. 

Her statements contradict testimony given by her cousin Jolene Williams, 37, and aunt Natalie Williams, 67, who told the court on Jan. 7 that Rennie said she had thrown the knife in the bush when leaving Roscelli's house. 

Both also told the court Rennie said the stabbing was in self-defence.

Rennie testified that she decided to turn herself in to the RCMP that night after learning Naomi had died. She walked to Sioux Valley's gaming centre and waited for them to find her, she said.

At the end of the trial day, a member of the gallery shouted at Rennie.

"I hope you get what you deserve," the person shouted.

"Shut the f--k up," Rennie responded.