LETHBRIDGE: A judgement has been handed down in the case against Derek Brian Plourde, in connection with the stabbing death of George Steve English in the early morning hours of September 11th, 2009.
In Lethbridge Court of Queen's Bench Thursday morning, Justice Jim Langston found Plourde not guilty of second degree murder, opting to go with the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Langston stated that while he wasn't satisfied that Plourde had the mindset to meet the requirements of the second degree murder charge, he rejected Plourde's arguement that he was acting in self defence. He added, "Based on the evidence as a while, I do not accept the accused evidence on how the fatal blow occured. Langston continued that it was not realistic to believe Plourde's story that English pulled Plourde's knife into his own throat during a struggle.
Plourde had told police that he went to the cabin near the Crowsnest Pass, which was owned by English, because he was worried about his wife who had not come home that night. He claimed that after finding the two in bed together English attacked him twice, so he called 911 to report an assault. He did acknowledge that as his wife was leaving his struck her in the back of the head. Plourde went on to say that English then came at him with a pick-axe so he grabbed a knife from his vehicle to protect himself. From there Plourde said that the two struggled on the ground with English beating him, so he decided to "poke" English with the knife to stop him. He then told investigators that English grabbed the hand holding the knife and as they continued to struggle, English's wrist broke and he pulled the knife back into his neck.
After reviewed those details Langston stated that if Plourde really only went to English's cabin to make sure his wife was safe, he wouldn't have hit her as she was leaving. He also noted that Plourde should have then left the scene instead of getting involved in a third altercation. Langston continued by saying, "The accused clearly intended to at least cause grievous bodily harm to the deceased."
The families of both Plourde and English were visibly upset following the decision, with some members of the victims family shouting at Plourde's children that they are murders outside the courthouse.
George English's brother Marvin spoke outside the courthouse, stating that while he was very disappointed that Plourde wasn't found guilty on the murder charge, he did acknowledge that the manslaughter sentence at least brings some closure after three years. He also commented that Plourde's actions hurt not only his family, but the community as a whole along with Plourde's wife and children, calling it a tragedy.
Plourde's bail has now been revoked with sentencing set for May 23rd. Crown prosecutor David Labrenz explained following the proceedings that it's difficult to predict the sentence that Plourde will be handed next week, as manslaughter sentences can range from probation to life in prison.
For a look back at the trial visit the following Country 95 News stories:
Wednesday, April 18: http://www.country95.fm/news/news-detail.asp?ID=5224
Thursday, April 19: http://www.country95.fm/news/news-detail.asp?ID=5227
Friday, April 20: http://www.country95.fm/news/news-detail.asp?ID=5231