Myles Reichel, originally charged with attempted murder and assault, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated assault during an appearance in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Dec. 18 and was sentenced to a four-year term of incarceration by Judge David Chow.
The sentence was an agreed joint submission from Reichel's lawyer Merv Nidesh and Crown prosecutor Rob Parker.
Reichel, 37, was charged after police were called to a residence on the south side of Moose Jaw on July 24. They found Reichel and another adult male who had sustained serious injuries. The victim was subsequently transported to the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, and from there to the Regina General Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Chow noted that mitigating factors included Reichel's lack of a criminal record, his previous release on his own recognizance and compliance with all conditions of that release, the fact that Reichel was the person who made the police call and that he waited at the residence for police to arrive, and his entering of a guilty plea, thus sparing the victim and victim's family from a trial.
A psychiatric evaluation was previously ordered in August under section 672.12 of the Criminal Code and that assessment was read into the record showing that Reichel had a difficult childhood and mental health issues that influenced his behaviour.
However, there was no indication in that evaluation that he might not be mentally fit to stand trial, or that he could be held not criminally responsible, and the report did not appear to influence sentencing.
Aggravating factors included victim impact statements showing that Reichel's victim, who was essentially his roommate at the time as well as a co-worker, suffered "life-altering" injuries from which he can never fully recover. The victim and his wife were present in the courtroom and became emotional during the presentation of evidence from defence and prosecution.
The facts agreed upon during the proceedings are that the aggravated assault occurred following a verbal altercation between Reichel and the victim, after which Reichel struck the victim, driving him to the floor, and proceeded to strike him repeatedly. The police report noted that when they arrived, Reichel's shirt was soaked with blood, which also covered his hands.
Reichel's victim has spent much of the intervening time in hospital, including many surgeries and a period where he was in a coma.
Reichel is also prohibited from possessing weapons for a period of 10 years, and must submit DNA to the criminal database. He was taken into custody to begin serving his time immediately after sentencing concluded.
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