'Overwhelming' evidence led to guilty verdict in Kevin Mantla murder trial, says judge
A 38-year-old Gameti man was found guilty of second-degree murder and attempted murder Thursday morning in connection with a knife attack on a couple in Yellowknife three years ago.
Kevin Mantla showed little emotion as N.W.T. Supreme Court Justice Louise Charbonneau handed down the verdict. Mantla had pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.
During the 95-minute explanation of her decision, Charbonneau said she was convinced Mantla was the man who killed Elvis Lafferty and severely wounded his girlfriend, who cannot be identified because of a publication ban.
Charbonneau said that conclusion was largely based on the testimony of two children who were in the home during the Sept. 28, 2015 attack. Both knew Mantla and identified him in closed-circuit video testimony given during the trial.
Charbonneau also said circumstantial evidence —"overwhelming to a degree we rarely see at trial" — also supported the conclusion that Mantla was the attacker.
During trial the ex-girlfriend said Mantla threatened to kill both her and Lafferty the day he learned of their relationship. Mantla flew to Yellowknife later that day and attacked the couple shortly after midnight. Three children and Lafferty's parents were also in the home.
"Everyone in that house woke up to a living nightmare," Charbonneau said.
But the judge said the evidence of one of the children also left her with doubts about whether Mantla had planned to kill that night. She said one of the young witnesses testified there was an argument between Mantla and his ex-girlfriend before he went to the kitchen and got the knife he used to attack her and murder Lafferty.
Prosecutor, family say decision was fair
Crown prosecutor Blair MacPherson said while Mantla was not convicted on the first-degree murder charge, he was pleased with the decision.
"It was a well-reasoned decision and clearly [the judge] was alive to the different issues and to the theories of both the Crown and the defence, she was quite fair and balanced in the way she approached the evidence," he said.
Elvis Lafferty was part of a large family from Behchoko. Many of them were there for the verdict, including his parents who sat through each day of the trial.
After the verdict, Lafferty's father, Archie, asked for prayers for strength for him and his family. He said he would leave it to the courts to decide how long Mantla spends in prison, saying eventually Mantla will have to face a higher judge than the courts.
Elvis Lafferty's mother, Mary Jane, said it was very difficult sitting through the trial and waiting almost three years for justice, but she's glad the court process is almost done.
"We've been going through a lot, lots of emotions," she said, noting she is thankful for the support of friends and family.
A date will be set for Mantla's sentencing on Monday. Second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with no eligibility of parole for at least 10 years.
