A sentencing hearing began Tuesday for a woman convicted of second-degree murder for the stabbing death of her husband.
In December 2015, Amanda Michelle McInnes pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Tye Christopher Kaye.
Kaye, 27, was found dead in their south Edmonton apartment on Sept. 21, 2012.
During sentencing Tuesday, court heard the couple had broken up about a year earlier but were attempting to reconcile.
Court also heard McInnes, who turns 31 on Oct. 15, admitted she tied Kaye up after convincing him it was for sex. Kaye’s left hand and ankles were bound to the bed frame when he was found dead.
The autopsy revealed McInnes stabbed Kaye 40 times and cut him another 23 times.
The day after the killing, McInnes bought crayons and yellow gloves at a dollar store, returned to the apartment and wrote “Murder #3 – This is not over pigs” on the wall in an attempt to mislead investigators.
While information was deleted from McInnes’ phone, investigators were able to recover news articles about women who kill their partners and other Internet searches, including “Can police read your deleted text messages?”, “How do you tie someone to a bed for sex?” and “How long does it take to die from a stab wound?”
An assessment of McInnes showed she has the abilities of an average 12-year-old and her intelligence is extremely low. It also showed McInnes now suffers from major depression and likely had mild depression before the homicide, though there were no signs of psychosis.
In court Tuesday, seven victim impact statement were read, including one from McInnes’s sister, Jill.
“I feel so ashamed being related to someone who could do this,” Jill said, adding she is happy her sister is in jail.
Miriam Kaye, Tye Kaye’s mother, read a statement saying in part she has “deep fears” for the safety and security of her family “not knowing what might happen if Amanda is released. I am honestly terrified.”
Brian Kaye, Tye Kaye’s adoptive father, said his son “had no idea of the cruel fate that awaited him,” and asked, “What will she do if she has another chance?”
For most of the morning, McInnes sat in the witness box with her head dropped, wiping away tears.
Her lawyer read the following apology on her behalf in court Tuesday.
“I would like to apologize to Tye’s family and friends. I feel a lot of sorrow and am very remorseful for what I’ve done,” the lawyer read. “In all honesty, I deserve it. I deeply regret what I have done. I am trying everything in my power not to crumble.”
Second-degree murder comes with a mandatory life sentence with a minimum of 10 years of parole ineligibility. The Crown is asking that McInnes spend at least 22 years behind bars before being allowed to apply for parole. The defence is asking for 16 years of parole ineligibility.
McInnes is expected to be sentenced on Thursday.
With files from Fletcher Kent, Global News.
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