Saskatoon Men Receive Decade-Long Sentences in Fatal 2022 Stabbing Case
Two Saskatoon men have been handed significant prison terms for their involvement in a violent incident that claimed the life of a local man. Colton Lischka and Ashtin Ritzand were each sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday by a Saskatoon King's Bench judge for manslaughter and aggravated assault.
Details of the Crime and Sentencing
The convictions stem from the stabbing death of James "Ed" Swift and the attack on his friend, Virginia Belhumeur, which occurred on August 29, 2022. The violent altercation took place on a grid road just north of Saskatoon, within the Rural Municipality of Corman Park near Penner Road.
Associate Chief Justice Michael Tochor delivered the sentences, which consisted of:
- Eight years for manslaughter
- Four years for aggravated assault
- Two years of the assault sentence to be served concurrently with the manslaughter term
- Two years to be served consecutively
With credit for time already served in custody, Ritzand will have approximately five years remaining on his sentence, while Lischka faces just over nine years left to serve.
Courtroom Proceedings and Emotional Scenes
During the sentencing hearing, emotional scenes unfolded as Lischka hugged crying family members before being handcuffed and taken into custody to begin his penitentiary sentence. The two men were convicted in October following a judge-alone trial that examined the circumstances of that fateful night.
Court testimony revealed that the victims had met their attackers for the first time on the evening of the incident. The group was traveling in a vehicle with another man named Anthony Burley when an argument erupted between Burley and Swift over cocaine. This confrontation escalated dramatically when Burley stopped the vehicle in the rural area.
Aggravating and Mitigating Factors Considered
Crown prosecutor Paul Scott presented several aggravating factors during sentencing submissions:
- The attack involved two individuals against one victim
- Both victims were stabbed in the neck
- The injured parties were left in a ditch without access to a cellphone or any immediate prospect of assistance
Justice Tochor acknowledged these factors made the gravity of the offenses "high" while also considering each defendant's personal circumstances. Ritzand's previous criminal conviction for violence was noted as an aggravating factor, though the judge recognized his efforts to address personal issues while in custody.
In contrast, Lischka presented mitigating factors including no prior criminal record, a steady work history, and strong family support. These elements were taken into consideration during the sentencing process.
Legal Perspectives and Reactions
Crown prosecutor Scott described the 10-year sentences as "appropriate," having originally requested terms in the range of 10 to 12 years. However, defense lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with the length of their clients' sentences.
Nicholas Stooshinoff, representing Lischka, had argued for a four-year term, noting that the court couldn't definitively determine which man actually stabbed the victims. Despite these arguments, the court maintained the decade-long sentences for both individuals involved in the tragic incident.
The case highlights the serious consequences of violent crime in Saskatchewan communities and demonstrates the judicial system's approach to balancing punishment with consideration of individual circumstances in manslaughter cases.
