The Crown is seeking a seven-year adult sentence for a teenaged boy who fatally stabbed a Regina man after an argument over the colour of the victim’s shirt.
Derrick Amyotte was stabbed seven times during the fight in the city’s North Central neighbourhood in July 2012.
Court heard Amyotte was walking along Fifth Avenue near Rae Street when he was confronted by the accused, who was 16 at the time.
Crown prosecutor Erin Schroh said the accused, who was a member of the Native Syndicate gang, took issue with the colour of Amyotte’s shirt.
Schroh said the accused told Amyotte “you shouldn’t be wearing red in my neighbourhood.”
When Amyotte replied “it’s my choice to wear what I want,” the accused said “prove it” and a fight erupted.
Schroh says witnesses thought it was a fist fight, but the accused was actually stabbing Amyotte with a pocket knife.
The fight ended after Amyotte punched the teenager to the ground and stomped on his head, rendering him unconscious.
Amyotte suffered seven stab wounds to his chest and back, one of which penetrated his heart. He walked a short distance before he collapsed.
The 31-year-old was taken to hospital, where he later died.
The accused, who is now 17, sat in the prisoner's box with his head bowed as victim impact statements from Amyotte’s family and friends were read in court Thursday.
The victim’s sister, Tara Amyotte, said her brother was her best friend and a loving father to his three young children.
“His life was robbed, stolen, as were each and every one of ours,” she said.
She added that his children are now afraid to wear certain colours because their father was killed for wearing a red shirt.
When asked if he wanted to address the court, the accused apologized to the victim’s family.
“I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “I will deal with this every day for the rest of my life.”
The accused was originally charged with second-degree murder, but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in July.
Crown and defence lawyers made a joint submission of a seven-year adult sentence. With credit for time served, the accused would spend five years and 10 months behind bars.
Justice Ellen Gunn has reserved her decision until next Monday.
