'I am remorseful': Dale Stonechild sentenced to 15 years for killing of Victor McNab

Dale Murray Stonechild has been sentenced to 15 years for the killing of an 84-year-old Regina man.

A judge handed down the sentence in a packed courtroom on Friday.

"I am sorry in my heart. I am remorseful,"Stonechildsaid during Friday's sentencing.

"This is something I have to live with. All I can say is I'm sorry."

Stonechild, 62, was convicted last year of manslaughter in the January 2013 slaying of Victor McNab.

Hehas been in custody since he was arrested and, with credit for time served, hisremaining sentence will be eight years and fivemonths.

Attack was a 'near murder'

Crown prosecutor James Fitz-Geraldsaid the decision fell near to the life sentence they wanted for Stonechild.

Members of the victim's family were present for the sentencing.

"They've lost a loved one and there's nothing that can change that, so it's difficult for them to see anything other than their grief and I think their grief is still speaking for them," Fitz-Gerald said.

The judge said there was no disputing the brutality of Stonechild's offence.

According to the judge's written decision, Stonechild went to visit McNab, a long-time friend who was "like a parent to him" at McNab'shome on Rae Street on Jan. 8, 2013.

Both men had been drinking when McNab made a comment that triggered a violent outrage in Stonechild.

The judge's decision said that Stonechildlater disclosed that McNabtold him he had a relationship with his mother at one point and was being a "rude old man."

StonechildusedMcNab'scane to beat him 20 to 30 times, leaving 20 lacerations on his face.

He also stabbed McNaba total of14 times in both the chest and abdomen,12 times with a knife and twice with a screwdriver.

One ofMcNab'seyes was crushed, and the otherwas knocked out of its socket. When his lifeless body was found the next morning draped over a chair at 5:30 a.m.,his back had been broken.

Fitz-Gerald said on Fridaythat the number of injuries McNabsustained and fact the attack happened in his home supported the judge's characterization it was a "near murder."

'He has a lot of healing to do'

The defence had wanted noprison time for Stonechild. Instead, they called for a restorative justice approach, which would involve Stonechild undergoing"intensive counselling."

• Defence urges non-jail sentence for man who killed Victor McNab

Thatcounselling wouldinclude taking part in spiritual ceremonies like sweat lodges, going into the bush andfasting for multiple nights, and preparing for a Sun Dance ceremony.

The latter ritual would see Stonechild'schest and back pierced with pieces of wood, about the size of half a pencil, which would then be ripped from his skinsomething the judge said the court couldn't agree to becauseit compelsan offender to physical abuse.

Defencelawyer Mike Buchinski called the judge's decision disappointing, but said Stonechild feels relieved.

"He's relieved that this part of his life is over. Certainly, bittersweet. He had a very good relationship with Mr. McNab, the victim, but I think that he's ready to move onto the next part of his life."

"He has a lot of healing to do," saidBuchinski.

• 'Violence here beyond belief:' Crown wants life sentence in death of Regina 84-year-old

63 convictions, 11.5 years already served

The judge's decision referencesthe pre-sentence report that found Stonechild hadan 80 per centchance to re-offend within a three-year period, which is considered high.

Stonechild was also found to be making home brewwhile on remand at the Regina Correctional Centre.

The judge called his criminal history "extensive." He has 63 criminal code convictions from 1972 to 2010, which spanthree provinces and are under four different names.

Stonechild has already spent11-and-a-half years behind bars for violent offences, including four years for aggravated assault back in1984.

Stonechildis aresidential school survivor

According to the decision, Stonechild's parents broke up when he was five years old, during the periodhe was attendingGordon's Residential School. Stonechild, who was at the school from1961 to 1968, is a third-generation residential school survivor.

Stonechildwas expelled in 1968 and said he was abused physically, sexually and emotionally.

He had no problems with law from 1994-2004 and attended school in Saskatchewan and British Columbia to study fine arts. Stonechild wasn't drinking at the time.

The decision stated he started drinking again after receiving his residential school settlement in 2004.