Crown seeks 10 years in prison for man who killed Kyla LaPointe

Family members of Kyla LaPointe voiced profound grief and anger on Tuesday during the sentencing hearing for a man who stabbed her in the back and left her bleeding on a Moncton street in 2023.

Dylan Alexander Jackson, 30, pleaded guilty in December to manslaughter, admitting his actions led to the death of the 32-year-old on July 11, 2023.

"I will never forgive you, ever," Nicole Blanchard, LaPointe's mother, said as she read her victim impact statement from the witness box. "I love you Kyla."

Blanchard was among eight people, including one of LaPointe's four children, who read victim impact statements in the courtroom Tuesday.

They called for justice for her killing, saying she had struggled with addiction at times but was a loving mother, artistic and full of of energy, and an advocate for children in the foster care system. 

More than two dozen people were in the courtroom public gallery for the hearing, many dressed in purple, which the judge heard was LaPointe's favourite colour. 

Several family members spoke of the pain they suffered in 2015, when LaPointe's sister, Stephanie LaPointe, was struck and killed while crossing a highway after a concert in Moncton.

Her aunt Cindy LaPointe said they shared a special bond and the agony that followed Stephanie's death. 

I hate you to my core, and I will do so to the day I die.- Cindy LaPointe

Cindy said her faith helped her through dark moments and requires her to forgive those who hurt her. 

"God might forgive you, I will never," Cindy said to Jackson. "I hate you to my core, and I will do so to the day I die."

LaPointe's step-father Serge Bouchard also described the emotional turmoil her death has caused for their family, as well as the financial toll of travelling from the Bathurst area to court appearances in Moncton. 

"We will be serving a life sentence without her, I love you Kyla," Bouchard said. 

Jackson listened to the statements from the prisoner's box, occasionally nodding when people spoke about how he had no right to kill her. 

Crown prosecutor Robert Johnston and defence lawyer Alex Pate are jointly requesting a 10-year prison sentence for Jackson. 

However, that time would be reduced with credit for time he's spent in custody since his arrest prior to sentencing. That sentence reduction would amount to 2½ years.

The Crown didn't read out loud the facts Jackson is admitting, saying the details were contained in a written document provided to Justice Jean-Paul Ouellette. 

Jackson was among three originally charged with second-degree murder in LaPointe's death. The charge was withdrawn against one man. 

Last month, Megan Marten pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. She was released on conditions pending her sentencing hearing on April 10. 

An agreed statement of facts entered when Marten pleaded guilty outlines the details of the crime. 

That document says LaPointe was part of a group of five who travelled from Fredericton to Moncton on July 10, 2023, to buy fentanyl. The group split up, with LaPointe and her boyfriend, Brody Leblanc, going to meet the drug dealer. 

The document says the group lost contact — LaPointe didn't have a phone — and for several hours looked for each other. 

The document says Marten parked on Belleview Avenue near downtown Moncton with Jackson and the third man. LaPointe walked by the car, and the document says Jackson ran up behind her and stabbed her in the back. 

The document says Marten stood beside LaPointe as she bled on the street for about two minutes before returning to the car and driving the group away. 

On Tuesday during the sentencing hearing, defence lawyer Alex Pate said Jackson had struggled with drug addiction. 

"He was highly intoxicated at the time of the offence, it doesn't excuse the behaviour but provides some context," Pate told the judge. 

Judge to rule Thursday

When given a chance to address the court, Jackson said he was trying to stay sober.

"I let drugs take over my life," he said. "I ruined somebody else's life. Sorry."

The judge said he needed more time to consider his sentencing decision, scheduling the case to return to court Thursday morning.