EDMONTON – The only man charged in connection with the death of Dylan McGillis has been sentenced to five years behind bars.
Cleophus Decoine-Zuniga was found guilty of manslaughter seven years after McGillis was fatally stabbed on Whyte Avenue.
WATCH: Sentencing for Dylan McGillis death
During the trial, court heard the 20-year-old victim got into an argument with some strangers in 2006. It quickly escalated, with eight or nine people swarming McGillis and his friends.
“It all kind of blew up. Everybody was basically getting beat up around me. There were maybe three people alone stomping Dylan,” McGillis’ friend, Robyn Palik, told court.
Palik said she and McGillis tried to run but were followed.
“Then I had somebody come in. There was a forward motion with his arm. I was covered in blood. I realized I was cut. I was kind of lost for words.”
Dylan McGillis was stabbed in the stomach and later died.
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In court, Palik identified Cleophus Decoine-Zuniga as one of the men who assaulted McGillis.
“I’m sure. I can honestly never forget his face.”
But Palik said the accused isn’t the man who stabbed McGillis. She never saw the face of the person who stabbed McGillis.
The judge said Decoine-Zuniga may have not stabbed McGillis but because he took part in the assault that’s enough for manslaughter, according to the law.
“If things go awry and somebody goes overboard, and the person ends up dead, you can be held responsible,” explained Crown Prosecutor Ashley Finlayson.
“When you engage in a group attack on someone, things can get out of control very quickly, and serious injuries can occur, and you’re responsible – potentially – for the actions of the group. And so, if someone dies, you can be held accountable for that death.”
Family and friends of McGillis filled a courtroom at the Alberta Law Courts in February to hear the guilty verdict. A few claps could be heard inside of the courtroom when the judge said Decoine-Zuniga was guilty.
Afterwards, there were a lot of hugs and celebration outside of court amongst the victim’s family. They said they miss McGillis desperately but this decision helped their grieving.
“You’re wishing and you don’t want to wish too hard because what if it went the other way. So it’s just like a big weight come off of my shoulders. I’m happy but bitter-sweet happiness,” said McGillis’ mother Marlene Beres.
Decoine-Zuniga was free on bail prior to the sentencing hearing.
With files from Fletcher Kent
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