Calgary Man Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Fatal Sword Attack on Roommate
In a Calgary courtroom on Monday, Michael Elendu bowed his head and wiped away tears as Justice Nancy Dilts delivered her verdict. The judge acquitted Elendu of second-degree murder but found him guilty of manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of his roommate, Kyreese Wright, five years ago. The case centered on a violent altercation that occurred in December 2020, where Elendu plunged a sword into Wright's chest.
Judge Cites Reasonable Doubt Over Murder Intent
Justice Dilts explained her decision, stating she had reasonable doubt that Elendu possessed the necessary intent for a second-degree murder conviction. "I could not find Elendu had the necessary intent for murder," Dilts said, based on the evidence presented during the retrial. The judge noted inconsistencies in witness testimonies and Elendu's own account, but ultimately concluded the prosecution failed to prove murderous intent beyond a reasonable doubt.
Details of the Fatal Altercation
The tragic incident unfolded on the morning of December 16, 2020, in the northwest Calgary community of Panorama Hills. Elendu and Wright shared a home with several other young people when a conflict erupted over music volume. According to court testimony:
- Wright became angry about the volume of music Elendu was playing during house cleaning
- The argument escalated, with Wright retreating to a basement bedroom where another roommate kept a firearm
- Elendu retrieved a katana sword from an upstairs closet
- Elendu approached the basement bedroom door and demanded to see Wright
Defence lawyer Michael Bates argued that Elendu acted reflexively when Wright unexpectedly opened the bedroom door and moved toward him aggressively. "The defence position is that Kyreese unexpectedly opened the door and aggressively moved towards Elendu," Justice Dilts noted in her ruling.
Legal History and Next Steps
This manslaughter conviction comes after a complex legal journey. Elendu was originally convicted of second-degree murder by a jury in 2023 and sentenced to life in prison. However, the Crown conceded his appeal, leading to the ordered retrial that resulted in Monday's verdict.
Key aspects of the case include:
- Elendu admitted to manslaughter charges at both his original trial and retrial
- The prosecution acknowledged inconsistencies in eyewitness evidence due to time passage
- Justice Dilts found aspects of Elendu's testimony believable despite inconsistencies
- A sentencing hearing for the manslaughter conviction will be scheduled at a later date
The case has drawn attention for its unusual weapon and the legal questions surrounding intent in violent confrontations between roommates. As the Calgary justice system moves toward sentencing, the community reflects on another tragic loss of life through preventable violence.
