nunavuumi iqkaqtuijikkut NUNAVUT COURT OF JUSTICE La Cour de justice du Nunavut

Citation: Date of Judgment (YMD): File Number: Registry:

R. v. KAYAITOK, 2013 NUCJ 16

20130823 24-08-08 Iqaluit

Prosecutor:

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

-andAccused:

BRUCE KAYAITOK

________________________________________________________________________ Before: Crown Counsel: Defence Counsel: Location Heard: Date Heard: Matters: The Honourable Mr. Justice Johnson Paul Bychok and Amy Porteous Malcolm Kempt and Claire Henderson Iqaluit, Nunavut April 29, 2013 Criminal Code ss. 222, 229, 234, 235(1)

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT (NOTE: This document may have been edited for publication)

I. INTRODUCTION [1] The accused is charged with the second-degree murder of his common-law spouse Belinda Tootiak [Belinda] on June 13, 2008 in the community of Kugaaruk. [2] On April 29, 2013 the accused entered a guilty plea to manslaughter and a not guilty plea to second-degree murder. However, the Crown was not content with the plea to manslaughter and seeks a conviction for second-degree murder. [3] At the opening of the trial the Crown with the consent of the accused introduced 14 exhibits including admissions made under section 655 of the Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c C-46 [Criminal Code]. [4] Defence counsel also agreed that the evidence given at the voir dire that I ruled admissible could be applied as evidence at the trial without the necessity of recalling the witnesses. [5] The Crown closed its case and the accused elected to not give evidence. Both parties filed written submissions and judgment was reserved. II. EVIDENCE [6] The accused admits that on June 13, 2008 he was in a common law relationship with the deceased victim Belinda at Kugaaruk, Nunavut. The relationship had lasted, on and off, for 14 years. [7] On the morning of Friday June 13, 2008, the accused, Belinda, and their two young sons were present at their home. Bruce Jr. was five years old and Dawson was three years old. [8] The accused admits that he unlawfully assaulted Belinda during an argument that morning. At some point during the assault the accused stabbed Belinda twice in the abdomen with a broken mop handle. The accused admits that Belinda died of exsanguination as a direct result of the injuries she sustained during the assault.

[9] The accused admits into evidence the statements of the following witnesses: (a) Christopher Amautinuar (b) Jeffrey Ittinangnak (c) Bertha Byrne (d) Erin Ferguson (e) Tony Immingark (f) Leona Krejunark (g) Brenda Quaqjuaq (h) Charmaine Saunders (i) Anna Tootiak (j) Nevee Tootiak [10] The accused admits, unchallenged, the contents of the forensic reports authored by Florence Celestin, S/Sgt. Geoff Ellis, and Dr. Michael Pollanen. [11] Finally the accused admits the medical records of Belinda; Health Centre photographs taken of the victim by Cst. Ryan Snodgrass; autopsy photographs; and a scene plan, scene video, and investigative notes prepared by Sgt. Mary Lane. III. ISSUE [12] Since the accused admitted the actus reus for homicide in admitting that he caused the death of Belinda the sole issue in this trial is did accused have the mens rea for second degree murder?

[13] To answer the main issue I must consider and resolve three subissues as follows: (a) Is the accuseds post offence conduct probative where he has admitted that he committed manslaughter? (b) Should I draw the common sense inferences relied on by the Crown about the nature and timing of the injuries that killed Belinda Tootiak? (c) If I rely on the propensity evidence I ruled admissible at the voir dire, will I be drawing the forbidden inference that because the accused is a bad character and was violent in the past toward the deceased he must have intended to kill her? IV. LAW. [14] Section 229 of the Criminal Code defines murder:
Culpable homicide is murder (a) Where the person who causes the death of a human being (i) means to cause his death, or (ii) means to cause him bodily harm that he knows is likely to cause his death, and is reckless whether death ensues or not.

A. Section 229 (a)(i) [15] As held in R v Seymour, [1996] 2 SCR 252, 106 CCC (3d) 520, in deciding whether the accused intended or meant to cause the death of Belinda a judge or jury may as a matter of common sense draw an inference that a sane and sober person intends the natural and probable consequences of his or her voluntary actions.

[16] In R v Buzzanga and Durocher, [1979] 2 OR (2d) 705, 49 CCC (2d) 369, the Ontario Court of Appeal held that what the accused intended or foresaw must be determined on a consideration of all the circumstances as well as from his own evidence, if he testifies as to what his state of mind or intention was. Since people are usually able to foresee the consequences of their acts, if an accused does an act likely to produce certain consequences, in general, it is reasonable to assume that the accused also foresaw the probable consequences of his act. Thus, if he nevertheless acted so as to produce those consequences, it is reasonable to assume that he intended them. The greater the likelihood of the relevant consequences ensuing from the accuseds act, the easier it is to draw the inference that he intended those consequences. However, where doubt exists as to the actual intention of the accused the purpose of this process is to determine what the particular accused intended, not to fix him with the intention that a reasonable person might be assumed to have in the circumstances. [17] In R v Walle, 2012 SCC 41, 2 SCR 438 at paras [Walle], Moldaver J. noted the common sense inference serves a useful purpose by providing a jury with a marker to measure the rather amorphous concept of intent within the following parameters:
65 In the end, what is critical is that the jury be made to understand, in clear terms, that in assessing the specific intent required for murder, it should consider the whole of the evidence that could realistically bear on the accused's mental state at the time of the alleged offence. The trial judge should alert the jury to the pertinent evidence. How detailed that recitation should be will generally be a matter for the trial judge, in the exercise of his or her discretion. 66 After the jurors have been alerted to the pertinent evidence, they should be told that if, after considering the whole of the evidence, they believe or have a reasonable doubt that the accused did not have one or the other of the requisite intents for murder at the time the offence was committed, then they must acquit the accused of murder and return a verdict of manslaughter.

67 If, however, there is no evidence that could realistically impact on whether the accused had the requisite mental state at the time of the offence, or if the pertinent evidence does not leave the jury in a state of reasonable doubt about the accused's intent, then the jury may properly resort to the common sense inference in deciding whether intent has been proved.

B. Section 229 (a)(ii) [18] As discussed by Watt J. in R v Moo, 2009 ONCA 645, 247 CCC (3d) 34, [Moo], a trier of fact may also use the common sense inference in assessing whether an accused intended to cause bodily harm which he knew was likely to cause death and was reckless whether or not death ensued. [19] Watt J. summarized the governing principles as follows:
45 The fault element in the definition of murder in s. 229(a)(ii) consists of three components: Intention (to cause bodily harm); Knowledge (that the bodily harm will probably be fatal); Recklessness (whether the victim dies or lives); Subjective foresight of death is a constitutional requirement for the crime of murder: R. v. Martineau, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 633, at p. 646. 46 The most prominent among the three components of the fault element in s. 229(a)(ii) is the intention to cause bodily harm of such a grave and serious nature that the person inflicting the harm, the accused, knows that the harm is likely to kill the victim. This combination of intention and subjective foresight of the likelihood of death renders the recklessness component in s. 229(a)(ii) almost an afterthought: R. v. Nygaard, [1989] 2 S.C.R. 1074, at pp. 1087-1088. 47 The recklessness component of the fault element in s. 229(a)(ii) does not exist in a vacuum as the only mental or fault element, rather works together with the intentional infliction of horrible bodily harm: Nygaard, at p. 1088. The variation in the degree of culpability as between the fault elements of ss. 229(a)(i) and 229(a)(ii) is too slight to warrant distinction: Nygaard, at pp. 1088-1089.

48 The requirement in s. 229(a)(ii) that the fatal assault be carried out in a reckless way, in other words by heedlessly proceeding with the deadly assault well-knowing the obvious risks, adds nothing to the vital element of the intent to cause bodily harm that the killer knows is likely to cause death and yet persists in the assault: Nygaard, at p. 1088. Anyone who causes bodily harm that she or he knows is likely to cause death must, in those circumstances, have a deliberate disregard for the fatal consequences that she or he knows are likely to happen: R. v. Cooper, [1993] 1 S.C.R. 146 (S.C.C), at pp. 154-155. In other words, such a person must, perforce, be reckless whether the victim lives or dies: Cooper, at p. 155.

C. Background and Context Evidence [20] At paragraph 98 of Moo, Watt J. also noted that in domestic homicide prosecutions, evidence is frequently admitted to understand the nature of the relationship between the accused and the deceased. He stated:
In prosecutions for domestic homicide, evidence is frequently admitted to elucidate the nature of the relationship between the accused and the deceased. This evidence, which often discloses misconduct other than that charged, not only demonstrates the nature of the relationship between the parties, but also may afford evidence of motive and animus relevant to establish the identity of the deceased's killer and the state of mind with which the killing was done: R. v. Chapman (2006), 204 C.C.C. (3d) 449 (Ont. C.A.), at para. 27; R. v. Cudjoe 2009 ONCA 543, (Ont. C.A.) at para. 64; R. v. Van Osselaer (2002), 167 C.C.C. (3d) 225 (B.C. C.A.), at para. 23, leave to appeal refused, 313 N.R. 199 (note) (S.C.C.).

[21] In the R. v. Kayaitok, 2013 N.U.C.J 02, [2013] Nu.J. No. 2 [Kayaitok], judgment I ruled the Crown could introduce context evidence from witnesses about incidents in the relationship and medical evidence for the period September 15, 2007, to May 10, 2008, because the evidence could be relevant to the determination of the issue of whether the accused had the intent required under section 229 (b) of the Criminal Code. At paragraph 98 of Kayaitok, I misquoted the proper section of the Criminal Code and intended to refer to section 229 (a) (ii). However, as noted by Watt J. in Moo, the variation in the degree of culpability as between the fault elements of ss. 229(a)(i) and 229(a)(ii) is too slight to warrant distinction.

D. Post Offence Conduct [22] The Ontario Court of Appeal reviewed the principles of this form of circumstantial evidence in R. v. Cudjoe, 2009 ONCA 543, 251 OAC 163 at [Cudjoe], where Watt J. stated:
78 Evidence of after-the-fact conduct is no different than any other circumstantial evidence. The inferences drawn from it must be reasonable, not speculative. They must be rooted in human experience and common sense. There is no fixed regime of inferences. What may be inferred is case-specific, a function of several factors, including but not only: i. the nature of the conduct; ii. the facts sought to be inferred from the conduct; iii. the positions of the parties; and iv. the totality of the evidence. R. v. Figueroa (2008), 232 C.C.C. (3d) 51 (Ont. C.A.), at paras. 33 and 35. 79 It follows from the situation-specific nature of the process of drawing inferences that no prefabricated rule stamps certain kinds of after-the-fact conduct as always or never relevant to a particular fact in issue: Figueroa, at para. 33; R. v. White, [1998] 2 S.C.R. 72 (S.C.C), at paras. 19-22; R. v. Peavoy (1997), 34 O.R. (3d) 620 (Ont. C.A.), at pp. 629-631.

80 In some instances, evidence of after-the-fact conduct may be relevant to establish that an accused's conduct was culpable rather than non-culpable, or to rebut a claim of a compromised mental state: Peavoy at pp. 629-631; R. v. Azzam (2008), 91 O.R. (3d) 335 (Ont. C.A.), at para. 48; R. v. Walent, 2007 ONCA 871, at paras. 10-11; R. v. Fraser (2001), 56 O.R. (3d) 161 (Ont. C.A.), at para. 17; R. v. Schell (2000), 148 C.C.C. (3d) 219 (Ont. C.A.), at paras. 40-41; R. v. Younger (2004) 186 C.C.C. (3d) 454 (Man. C.A.), at paras. 51-52. 81 Evidence of after-the-fact conduct is typical of many items of evidence adduced in a criminal trial: it is evidence of limited admissibility. The trier of fact may use this evidence for one or more purposes but not for another or others. It follows that its introduction imposes on the trial judge in a jury trial the obligation to explain both the permitted and prohibited use of the evidence: Figueroa at paras. 35 and 36; White, at para. 28; R. v. Rodrigue (2007), 223 C.C.C. (3d) 53 (Y.T. C.A.), at para. 42.

[23] While this form of evidence is of limited admissibility Watt J. further noted that it was highly relevant to the issue of capacity to form a specific intent when he stated in Cudjoe:
89 After identifying the evidence about the removal of the knife as evidence of after-the-fact conduct, thus subject to a specific instruction, the trial judge told the jurors about the prohibited and permitted use of the evidence. Since the evidence was equally consistent with the appellant's crime being manslaughter or second degree murder, the jurors were not entitled to use the evidence "to draw an inference of guilt towards Randulph Cudjoe". On the other hand, the jurors could use the evidence to rebut the appellant's claim that he did not have the state of mind required to make his unlawful killing of the deceased murder, provided they were satisfied that the conduct demonstrated some cognitive functioning and purposeful conduct inconsistent with the claimed absence of intent. 90 The trial judge's instructions may seem somewhat selfcontradictory. In essence, the jurors were told that, although they could not use the after-the-fact conduct evidence to determine the level of culpability, they could use it to rebut the appellant's claim that his culpability was reduced because of his compromised mental state. To some, at least, perhaps many, evidence that can be used to rebut a claim of reduced culpability is used to determine the level of culpability.

91 It seems to me at least that the authorities that discuss the relationship between evidence of after-the-fact conduct and level of culpability are in a less than satisfactory state and not easily reconcilable. That said, as the authorities do establish, there are cases in which evidence of after-the-fact conduct can be used in determining the level of culpability, whether as positive evidence of a particular mental state (like planning and deliberation), or in rebuttal of a claim of a compromised mental state (like one befuddled by alcohol and/or drugs). 92 In the current state of the law, however, I am not prepared to say that the instructions given reflect prejudicial error. It is difficult to gainsay the relevance of evidence of removal of the weapon from the scene of the killing as proof of a functioning mind, thus intentional conduct.

[24] In R v Jaw, 2009 SCC 42, 3 SCR 26 [Jaw], released after Cudjoe, LeBel J. noted that while post offence conduct cannot usually serve on its own as a basis for inferring the specific degree of culpability of an accused person who has admitted committing an offence it can be used to impugn the persons credibility and to discredit a defence that relates to the persons state of mind at the time of the offence.
39 In sum, Vertes J.'s reference to the appellant's post-offence conduct in his charge to the jury is not an error capable of affecting the legality of the verdict. In fact, both the Crown and the trial judge could be said to have underestimated, to the appellant's advantage, the significance of the appellant's actions following the shooting. Vertes J. failed to give full effect in his charge to the Crown's argument that the appellant's actions -- all revolving around the theatrics of a suicide attempt -- revealed a lack of sincerity and credibility that the jury could take into account when assessing the veracity of the appellant's claim to have been so badly affected by the pepper spray that he could not remember the events leading up to the shooting. It was entirely open to the Crown to engage in this line of reasoning at trial. While post-offence conduct cannot usually serve on its own as a basis for inferring the specific degree of culpability of an accused person who has admitted committing an offence (R. v. Arcangioli, [1994] 1 S.C.R. 129, at p. 145; R. v. Marinaro, [1996] 1 S.C.R. 462; R. v. Peavoy (1997), 34 O.R. (3d) 620 (C.A.), at p. 631), it can be used, more generally, to impugn the accused person's credibility (R. v. White, [1998] 2 S.C.R. 72, at para. 26).

40 Post-offence conduct may also be used to discredit a defence that relates to the accused person's state of mind at the time of the offence and that is therefore relevant to his or her ability to form the requisite intent for the offence, such as intoxication (R. v. Pharr, 2007 ONCA 551, 227 O.A.C. 112, at paras. 8-15; Peavoy, at pp. 630-31) or the "not criminally responsible" defence under s. 16 (R. v. Jacquard, [1997] 1 S.C.R. 314, at paras. 42-53). In the case at bar, the Crown could have pursued the argument that the appellant's sense of awareness immediately after the shooting was relevant circumstantial evidence that he had the requisite intent, since it belied his claim to have been completely disoriented by the pepper spray. If the Crown had done so, then the jury should have been instructed on the limited probative value of the appellant's post-offence conduct. However, the Crown did not make this argument at trial, and the trial judge did not allude to it in his charge to the jury. There is obviously no need for a judge to include a limiting instruction pertaining to an issue that did not even arise in the case. This would have unnecessarily confused the jury and might have amounted to an error in its own right.

[25] In R v Angelis, 2013 ONCA 70, [2013] OJ No 439, [Angelis], Laskin J. noted that post offence conduct rarely has probative value on the accuseds state of mind when the accused admits the actus reus of the offence.
52 However, evidence of post-offence conduct may be susceptible to jury misuse, especially when, as in this case, the accused has admitted to committing the actus reus of an offence and the Crown is relying on the post-offence conduct to demonstrate a specific level of intent. Although this evidence will often be prejudicial to the accused, it will rarely have any significant probative value going to the accused's state of mind during the commission of the criminal act. That people will generally behave one way after they kill someone purposefully and another way after they kill someone accidentally is often a dubious assumption.

53 Therefore, in a long line of cases, both the Supreme Court of Canada and various courts of appeal, including this court, have held that an accused's post-offence conduct may be probative of an accused's culpability, but not of the level of that culpability. These courts have so held because the accused's post-offence conduct is as consistent with an inference that the accused committed manslaughter as it is with an inference that the accused had the intent for murder. Where self-defence is raised as a defence, an accused's post-offence conduct is circumstantial evidence from which a jury can infer that the accused committed a culpable act, and thus did not act in self-defence. But, ordinarily, trial judges have been obliged to instruct juries that post-offence conduct evidence cannot be used to infer that the accused committed murder rather than manslaughter: see R. v. Arcangioli, [1994] 1 S.C.R. 129, at pp. 145-146; R. v. Marinaro, [1996] 1 S.C.R. 462, adopting the dissenting reasons in (1994), 95 C.C.C. (3d) 74 (Ont. C.A.); R. v. Peavoy, at para. 34; R. v. White (1998), [1998] 2 S.C.R. 72, at p. 89; R. v. Swanson, 2002 BCCA 528, 168 C.C.C. (3d) 1, at para. 18; R. v. Rodrigue, 2007 YKCA 9, 223 C.C.C. (3d) 53, at paras. 47-49; R. v. Figueroa, 2008 ONCA 106, 232 C.C.C. (3d) 51, at paras. 35-37.

V. ARGUMENTS AND ANALYSIS A. General Overview of Arguments (i) Crown [26] The Crown argues that the evidence proves that the accused possessed the requisite mens rea for either section 229(a)(i) or (a)(ii) if this court draws a number of common sense inferences. [27] On section 229(a)(i) the Crown relies on the accuseds utterances and recorded statements, the photographs, the post mortem examination report, the forensic reports, Mary Lanes report and Belindas medical records to argue that his post offence conduct provides the requisite cognitive functioning and purposeful conduct described by Watt J. at paragraph 89 of Cudjoe to constitute the specific intent to commit murder.

[28] The propensity evidence about the accused derived from witness statements for the period September 15, 2007, to June 13, 2008, supports the intent revealed by the accuseds post offence conduct. [29] In the alternative the Crown argues that the evidence tendered on section 229(a)(i) also satisfies section 229(a)(ii) because the accused, at a minimum, intended to inflict serious bodily harm to Belinda. The accused knew that Belindas abdominal injuries would likely cause her death and on the most mitigating interpretation of the evidence he was reckless whether she lived or died. [30] In the event I conclude that I am legally unable to rely on the propensity evidence, the Crown argues that the accused could be convicted under either section without it. (ii) Accused [31] The accused argues that the evidence relied on by the Crown does not meet the burden of proof because the post offence conduct of the accused has limited probative value where the accused has admitted to committing the actus reus for manslaughter. [32] The accused further argues that this Court should not apply the common sense inference about the location of the wound because it is pure speculation in the absence of expert evidence. [33] Finally, the accused argues that if this Court relies on the propensity evidence tendered by the Crown it will be drawing the forbidden inference that because the accused is a bad character and was violent in the past toward the deceased he must have intended to kill her.

B. Is the accuseds post offence conduct probative where he has admitted that he committed manslaughter? (i) Crown argument [34] In applying the general principles on post offence conduct set out in paragraph 78 of Cudjoe, the Crown distinguishes between the activities of the accused in the residence immediately after he stabbed Belinda Tootiak and his actions in taking her to the Health Centre. [35] In arguing that the post offence evidence is highly relevant to the issue of capacity to form a specific intent the Crown emphasizes Watt J.s comments at paragraphs 89, 91, and 92 of Cudjoe as follows:
provided they were satisfied that the conduct demonstrated some cognitive functioning and purposeful conduct inconsistent with the claimed absence of intent. ... . . . as the authorities do establish, there are cases in which evidence of after-the-fact conduct can be used in determining the level of culpability, whether as positive evidence of a particular mental state (like planning and deliberation), or in rebuttal of a claim of a compromised mental state. . . . . . It is difficult to gainsay the relevance of evidence of removal of the weapon from the scene of the killing as proof of a functioning mind, thus intentional conduct.

(ii) Defence argument [36] Among the post offence conduct of the accused relied on by the Crown was that he attempted to clean up the house after the stabbing and then brought Belinda to the Health Centre. The Crown also relies on statements the accused made to the police and nurses indicating that the stabbing was an accident.

[37] Since the accused has now admitted that he committed the actus reus of the offence of assault with a weapon and, therefore, manslaughter the post offence conduct is not helpful. [38] Relying on Laskin J.s statement above from Angelis, the accused argues that the words below, in paragraphs 52 and 53 of Angelis, support his argument that his post offence conduct is not relevant because he admitted that he committed manslaughter.
Although this evidence will often be prejudicial to the accused, it will rarely have any significant probative value going to the accused's state of mind during the commission of the criminal act. . . These courts have so held because the accused's post-offence conduct is as consistent with an inference that the accused committed manslaughter as it is with an inference that the accused had the intent for murder.

[39] The accused notes that part of the Crowns case is evidence that the accused assaulted the deceased on prior occasions and cleaned up after the fact. As a result it is possible to draw other inferences from his conduct and the evidence cannot provide any insight on the issue of specific intent. [40] In reply to the Crowns written submissions, the accused argues that Cudjoe is distinguishable because he has not raised the defences of provocation or intoxication. The only defence raised is that there is no evidence of specific intent for murder. Any evidence of post offence conduct is unhelpful as the behavior can be used to infer either manslaughter or murder.

(iii) Analysis [41] In Cudjoe, Jaw, Angelis, and all the cases referred to in those cases the courts were dealing with jury charges where there is a significant risk of jury error in interpreting and applying postoffence conduct evidence. As stated by Major J. in R v White [1998] 2 SCR 72, [1998] SCJ No 57 [White]:
22 It has been recognized, however, that when evidence of postoffence conduct is introduced to support an inference of consciousness of guilt it is highly ambiguous and susceptible to jury error. As this Court observed in Arcangioli, the danger exists that a jury may fail to take account of alternative explanations for the accused's behaviour, and may mistakenly leap from such evidence to a conclusion of guilt. In particular, a jury might impute a guilty conscience to an accused who has fled or lied for an entirely innocent reason, such as panic, embarrassment or fear of false accusation. Alternatively, the jury might determine that the conduct of the accused arose from a feeling of guilt, but might fail to consider whether that guilt relates specifically to the crime at issue, rather than to some other culpable act.

[42] Major J. then described the two legal doctrines that have developed in response to these concerns.
23 Two legal doctrines have arisen in response to these concerns. As a preliminary matter, this Court held in Arcangioli that a jury should not be permitted to consider evidence of post-offence conduct when the accused has admitted culpability for another offence and the evidence cannot logically support an inference of guilt with respect to one crime rather than the other. That rule is essentially a matter of relevance and will usually apply in narrow circumstances. More generally, this Court has also held that when evidence of post-offence conduct is put to the jury, the jury should be "properly instructed" to ensure that the evidence is not misused: Arcangioli, at p. 143; R v Gudmondson (1933), 60 C.C.C. 332 (S.C.C.), at pp. 332-33. The content of such an instruction, particularly the appropriate standard of proof, has been the subject of ongoing controversy in the Courts of Appeal and is addressed below.

[43] Although in Cudjoe Watt J. recognized that the trial judges instruction might seem contradictory, he denied this ground of appeal because there were cases where post-offence conduct could be used in determining the level of culpability. He noted that the evidence could be used as positive evidence of a particular mental state or to rebut a claim of a compromised mental state. It appears he felt the latter situation applied because, he noted, at paragraph 75, that during the trial the accused took the position that his intoxication affected his state of mind. In reviewing the evidence of the accuseds consumption of alcohol, at paragraphs 52 to 54, Watt J. noted that the accused admitted he felt the effect of three or four shots of rum and three beers but was not drunk. He also appeared sober to one civilian witness who knew his drinking habits and one police officer who was also a qualified breathalyzer technician. [44] In Jaw, Lebel J. noted that post-offence conduct may also be used to discredit a defence such as intoxication or being not criminally responsible that relates to the accused person's state of mind at the time of the offence and is therefore relevant to his or her ability to form the requisite intent for the offence. He opined that the Crown could have pursued an argument to the trial judge that the jury should be instructed to consider the accuseds sense of awareness after the shooting since it contradicted his evidence that he had been completely disoriented by pepper spray. If the Crown had pursued it the jury would have been instructed on the limited probative value of his post offence conduct.

[45] In Angelis, the trial judge refused to put the defence of provocation to the jury and then made extensive reference to the accuseds post offence conduct. Laskin J. held that because the jury could not consider provocation, the accuseds intent to kill became the central issue of the case. If the jury was satisfied that the appellant had the intent to kill then his defence of selfdefence could not succeed and a conviction for murder was inevitable. In ruling the trial judge erred Laskin J. went on to note at paragraph 54, that the Supreme Court of Canada had recently considered the use of post-offence conduct in R. v. White, 2011 SCC 13, [2011] 1 SCR 433 [R v White] to support an inference of intent. He quoted paragraph 31 of Rothstein J.s judgment and concluded, in paragraph 55 of Angelis:
Post-offence conduct, therefore, is not subject to blanket rules. It is circumstantial evidence whose probative value depends on the nature of the evidence, the issues at trial and the positions of the parties. Thus, we do not automatically label certain kinds of post-offence conduct as always or never relevant to a particular issue. Rather, we must consider all the circumstances of a case to determine whether the post-offence conduct is probative and, if so, what use the jury may properly make of it. In the words of Rothstein J., at para. 36 of R. v. White, the overriding question is this: what do "logic and human experience" suggest that a jury can legitimately or rationally infer from the accused's post-offence conduct?

[46] In applying Rothstein J.s reasoning, Laskin J. concluded that the trial judge erred in inviting the jury to use the appellants postoffence conduct to infer the level of culpability and infer he was guilty of murder and not manslaughter stating, in paragraphs 56 and 57 of Angelis:
As a matter of logic and human experience, the appellant's postoffence conduct could not support a rational inference of an intent to kill. That it could not do so is evident from the circumstances. The appellant and his wife had no history of violence or abuse in their relationship. Yet, they had just had a sudden and very physical altercation. The altercation occurred in front of their two children. It was brief. It left the appellant disoriented and bleeding profusely from his genitals. And when it was over he knew only two things: Lien was dead, and he had killed her. In these circumstances, logic and human experience suggest that the appellant's post-offence conduct was as consistent with a panicked reaction to Lien's sudden and unintended death, as it was with a panicked reaction to her sudden and intended death. Thus, the jury should not have been repeatedly instructed that they could use this evidence to decide whether the appellant had the intent for murder.

[47] In the case at bar the accused did not testify and has not advanced a defence of diminished mental capacity, as did the accused in Cudjoe or the accused could have done in Jaw. He has not raised an issue of self-defence as the accused did in Angelis. The only issue he raises is whether the Crown has proved the requisite mental state for second-degree murder. As a result, he argues that his post offence conduct is not probative because the behavior can be inferred to support a conviction for manslaughter or murder. If this Court relies on these facts it will result in a breach of the well-established principle that postoffence conduct cannot be used to infer degrees of culpability. The Crown seeks to rely on the exception, described by Watt J. in Cudjoe, at paragraph 91, that the evidence is probative to establish the positive evidence of a particular mental state.

[48] The accused elected to be tried by Judge alone without a jury and I must now apply these principles that have evolved in the appellate review of jury instructions to instruct myself on the appropriate legal use of the accuseds post-offence conduct in deciding if he had the specific intent for murder in this case. For assistance I rely heavily on the clear rules set forth in R v White. [49] The facts and issue in R v White are described at paragraphs 1 and 2 as follows:
In the early hours of December 3, 2005, Lee Matasi was killed by a gunshot to the heart. According to multiple eyewitnesses, he was shot by the appellant, Dennis Robert White. The two had been engaged in a physical altercation that began after Mr. Matasi made a disparaging remark to Mr. White, who was in possession of a loaded handgun. In the course of their struggle, the gun was fired into Mr. Matasi's chest, killing him instantly. Mr. White immediately fled the scene, but was later apprehended by the police. Mr. White was charged with second degree murder. Throughout the Crown's case, the identity of the shooter was a live issue. However, by trial's end, counsel for the defence had effectively (though not formally) conceded that Mr. White had shot Mr. Matasi unlawfully and was therefore guilty of manslaughter. Thus, the only live issue before the jury was whether Mr. White had the requisite intent for second degree murder. The jury found that he did and convicted him on that charge.

[50] The accused argued on appeal that the trial judge erred in failing to instruct the jury that the accuseds flight after the shooting had no probative value. [51] Rothstein J. in R v White notes, at paragraph 20, that the change in nomenclature from consciousness of guilt to post-offence conduct broadened the types of evidence that were tendered at trials. This change led some judges to believe that any evidence of the accuseds actions must be subject to special warnings and limiting instructions. However, he held that this was not always necessary and reviewed some basic principles.

[52] Issues of admissibility arise throughout a trial. Some evidence is not admitted because it may be irrelevant. For example, in some cases where the accused has admitted culpability for another offence and the evidence cannot logically support an inference of guilt with respect to one crime or another. As noted by Major J. in White, this rule is essentially a matter of relevance and will only apply in narrow circumstances. [53] Some of the evidence that is admitted may be removed from the jury on all or some of the issues in the case through the use of limiting instructions. These will take the form of instructing the jury that the evidence has no probative value and should not be considered. Alternatively a judge may warn the jury of the risks associated with certain types of evidence. [54] The no probative value instruction should be given where the item is not relevant to a live issue. As noted in paragraph 36 of R v White
In order for evidence to satisfy the standard of relevance, it must have "some tendency as a matter of logic and human experience to make the proposition for which it is advanced more likely than the proposition would be in the absence of that evidence" (Paciocco and Stuesser, at p. 31, approved in R. v. J.-L.J., 2000 SCC 51, [2000] 2 S.C.R. 600, at para. 47, and R. v. B. (L.) (1997), 35 O.R. (3d) 35, at p. 44 (C.A.)

[55] Since the accused agreed to the admission of the post-offence conduct evidence relied on by the Crown, I conclude he is arguing that it has no probative value and should be excluded from my analysis. He is advancing the same broad proposition advanced by the accused in White that post-offence conduct is generally inadmissible in determining whether an accused is guilty of manslaughter or murder. However that argument was clearly rejected by Rothstein J. when he described the no probative test at paragraph 42 of R v White:
In any given case, that determination remains a fact-driven exercise. Whether or not a given instance of post-offence conduct has probative value with respect to the accused's level of culpability depends entirely on the specific nature of the conduct, its relationship to the record as a whole, and the issues raised at trial. There will undoubtedly be cases where, as a matter of logic and human experience, certain aspects of the accused's post-offence conduct support an inference regarding his level of culpability.

[56] At pages 41 to 43 of its Final written arguments on behalf of the Crown, filed June 17, 2013, [written submissions], the Crown describes the post offence evidence and its relevance to the issue of the specific intent of the accused.
The immediate post offence conduct of the accused is also extremely significant to the issue of his capacity to form a specific intent to kill at the time he stabbed Belinda Tootiak. After the assault, the accused attempted to clean up and mop up the blood before taking Belinda Tootiak to the health centre. Sgt. Lane observed that a red stained towel, blue jeans, and a t-shirt were in a pile on the floor of the closet next to the bathroom door which appeared to have been used to mop the floor. [Ex # 10, paragraph 1] She reported that the blood on the bathroom floor had been diluted with water in an attempt to clean up. [Ibid, paragraph 2] She found a red [blood] soaked cloth in the bathroom garbage bin. She found the blood stained mop in the middle of the kitchen floor. [Ibid, paragraph 9] She also found a red [blood] stained towel on a kitchen chair [Ibid, paragraph 10] and a wash bucket on the kitchen floor near the south east window. [Ibid, paragraph 11]

S/ Sgt. Ellis observations also support this inference. Indeed, he reported that the blood not only on the bathroom floor, but on the floor elsewhere and the south living room wall showed signs of dilution consistent with a clean up. [p.30; see also the blood soaked mop shown in Exhibit 3, Tab 22] Necessarily, it would have taken some minutes to attempt the clean up described by these experts. The foregoing forensic evidence is compelling evidence of a lack of immediate concern by the accused for the health and well being of Belinda Tootiak. Given the nature of the stab wounds and the huge amount of blood which Belinda Tootiak shed, it was obvious to the accused as it would have been to any other healthy, sober adult, that Belinda Tootiak needed immediate emergency medical care. Yet the evidence demonstrates that the first impulse the accused had was to try to clean up. Why would the accused clean up rather than immediately take Belinda Tootiak to the health centre? This is where the Court must consider all the evidence and not just individual fragments. This behaviour is entirely consistent with the repeated lies which the accused soon told the nurses and then the police. That he never touched her. That they were doing good. He even went so far as to fabricate a story that Belinda Tootiak slipped and fell onto the mop handle. Seen in this context, it should be clear that the conscious and deliberate impetus behind the clean up was an attempt to clean up the evidence. The Crown asserts the foregoing evidence is compelling proof, not of manslaughter versus second degree murder, but of cognitive functioning and purposeful conduct. There can be no other rational inference drawn to explain these actions of a healthy and sober adult. If the accused knew the enormity of his actions such that he tried to clean up the evidence, and repeatedly lied to the nurses and police immediately afterward to claim absolute innocence, then he certainly knew, at the time he stabbed Belinda Tootiak that she would likely die if he stabbed her in the abdomen; especially if she did not receive immediate medical attention. The accused also deliberately put the weapon the broken mop handle between two cushions in the living room. The placement of the murder weapon between two cushions on the couch in the living room is highly significant. Recall the evidence of S/Sgt. Geoff Ellis respecting the projected and swipe blood stains on the bathroom door and interior of the bathroom. These extensive blood stains:

are consistent with originating from the movement of Belinda Tootiak in the area of the entrance to the bathroom after suffering a laceration to the femoral artery. [Exhibit 9, p. 7. See also the corresponding photographs in Exhibit 3, photographs 8 and 11.] This evidence leads to the inevitable inference that Belinda Tootiak was stabbed in the bathroom very close to the bathroom door. Yet the accused did not abandon the murder weapon there; he carried it into the living room and deliberately and purposefully placed it between two cushions on the couch located there. Taken together with the attempted clean up and the she slipped and fell story, the Crown asserts that the Court should be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was fully possessed with an operating mind when he stabbed, and killed, Belinda Tootiak. To restate this conclusion differently: the accused was healthy and sober when he stabbed Belinda forcibly not once, but twice. These were not superficial wounds. At least one of the stabs penetrated Belindas body to the depth of six and two thirds inches. The accused told the nurses he cut his hand when he pulled the mop handle out of Belinda. He knew he had inflicted a grievous injury on her. And with Belindas shocking and staggering amount of immediate blood loss, the accused knew that she needed immediate emergency medical intervention if her life was to be saved. Nevertheless, the accused chose to try to clean up the bloody mess rather than take her immediately to the health centre. He was fully possessed of an operating mind and was able to understand the consequences of what he had done as well as the importance of covering his tracks. The Crown submits that the accuseds post offence conduct is evidence of cognitive functioning and purposeful conduct which establishes that he had the specific intent to commit murder. Thus, the post offence conduct is relevant to establish the positive evidence of a particular mental state, in this case, the capacity of the accused to form the specific intent to murder Belinda Tootiak.

[57] While the accuseds failure to assist Belinda in a timely manner bears some similarity to actions of the accused in Angelis, there are many other significant distinguishing features. As Laskin J. noted there was no history of violence or abuse in the relationship and they had a sudden and brief altercation. The accused waited for four hours and carried out a number of activities before he called the police to report the death. In those circumstances logic and human experience suggested that the actions of the accused were as consistent with a panicked reaction to the wifes sudden and unintended death as it was with a panicked reaction to her sudden and intended death. In the case at bar the accused attempted a clean up and then fabricated a story to cover up what he had done. It is also important to note that in Angelis the accused testified that he was not angry during this struggle. He did not intend to hurt Lien or to cause her death. His intent was to stop her from hurting him. [58] I am satisfied that this post offence conduct relied on by the Crown is evidence on the cognitive functioning and purposeful conduct that is probative on the issue of whether the accused had the requisite mental state for murder. While it is prejudicial to the accused, its probative value outweighs the prejudice and I will accordingly use it in my analysis. C. Should I draw the common sense inferences relied on by the Crown about the nature and timing of the injuries that killed Belinda Tootiak? (i) Crown Argument [59] The Crown argues that I can make a number of common sense inferences from the admissions of the accused and the post mortem examination of Dr. Michael Pollanen as described at pages 36 to 39 of its written submissions.

[60] Firstly, I can infer that facial injuries of Belinda were caused by the broken end of the mop handle is set out at pages 36 and 37 of the Crowns written submissions as follows:
The accused has admitted that he assaulted Belinda Tootiak and that at some point during the assault he stabbed her twice in the abdomen with a broken mop handle. The photographs of Belinda taken both at the health centre that morning and at the autopsy prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she suffered a prolonged and vicious beating. [Exhibits 4 and 5] Dr. Michael Pollanen described no fewer than forty four fresh injuries when he performed the autopsy, and that number did not include the gash over Belinda Tootiaks right eye or the two abdominal stab wounds. Her injuries were located all over her body. [Exhibit 7] Nurse Bertha Byrne also addressed the freshness of these injuries in her statement to the police. [p.16] Dr. Pollanen also identified multiple blunt impact injuries to the head. [p.29] The beating inflicted by the accused on Belinda, manifestly, was both vicious and prolonged.

[61] The Crown argues that I can infer that the narrow linear configuration of the bruising to her right eyelid and the side of her nose below her right eye is consistent with her having been struck in the face with the mop twice. The gash over the same eye that Nurse, Erin Ferguson [Ferguson], said merited sutures is also consistent with having been caused by the broken end of the mop handle. [62] Secondly, I can make several inferences from the blood spatter report of S/Sgt. Geoff Ellis described at pages 37 to 39 of the written submissions. The first inference is that Belinda was stabbed in or very near the bathroom as follows:
S/Sgt. Geoff Ellis, the RCMP blood spatter expert, investigated and later gave evidence respecting the projected and swipe blood stains on the bathroom door and interior of the bathroom. These extensive blood stains:

are consistent with originating from the movement of Belinda Tootiak in the area of the entrance to the bathroom after suffering a laceration to the femoral artery. [Exhibit 9, p. 7. See also the corresponding Marker 1 on the scene plan marked Exhibit 6 and photographs in Exhibit 3, photographs 8 and 11.]

Ellis also observed spatter stains on the bathroom door frame consistent with the application of force:

to an exposed blood source identified to Belinda while located in front of the bath room. [p.31]

This evidence leads to the inevitable inference that Belinda was stabbed in or very near the bathroom, very close to the bathroom door.

[63] The second inference is that the accused was facing the bathroom and Belinda as he continued to beat her with the blood covered mop handle.
There is further evidence that the accused continued to use the broken mop handle to assault Belinda Tootiak even after he had stabbed her. S/Sgt. Ellis observed that there were cast off blood stains on the east hallway wall beyond the bathroom which:

are consistent with originating from the swinging of a bloodbearing object in a southerly direction in front of the bathroom. [p.30] He added: A portion of these stains were of sufficient volume that gravity caused the blood to flow towards the floor after contact with the wall [and] The spatter stains on the wall are consistent with originating from a blood-letting event occurring involving the use of force to an exposed blood source located in the area in front of the bath room. [Ibid]

From this evidence, the court may draw the rational and reasonable inference that the accused was facing the bathroom and his victim as he continued to beat Belinda Tootiak with the blood covered mop handle - the swinging of a blood bearing object in a southerly direction - after he had stabbed her. So much blood flew from the broken mop handle that it dripped down the wall. [See Marker 3 East Hallway Wall on Exhibit 6] Written Submissions, 37-38.

[64] The third inference is that the violence continued into the living room where the accused continued to beat Belinda after she collapsed on the floor as follows:
The evidence also suggests that the violence continued into the living room where the accused continued to beat Belinda Tootiak after she had collapsed on the floor: The impact pattern stains on the wall are consistent with originating from a minimum of one impact to an exposed blood source identified to Belinda Tootiak. The blood source was located within 1 m of the floor in an area between the wall and front entrance room door to the residence. [p.30] Clearly, the blood source was Belinda herself and the impact another blow inflicted by the accused. Written submissions, 37.

[65] The fourth inference is that Belinda died within a magnitude of minutes from the time she was stabbed twice in the abdomen and then examined by the nurses at the Health Centre as follows:
We know that the accused took Belinda Tootiak to the health centre that same morning at approximately 7:15 a.m. Responding to the commotion created by the accused downstairs in the health centre, nurse Erin Ferguson responded and immediately checked Belinda Tootiak and could not find a carotid (neck) pulse. [p.17] Nurse Bertha Byrne reported that she was unresponsive with her arm kinda hanging over the side, flaccid. The nurses attached a monitor to her chest which registered asystole which meant that Belinda Tootiaks heart had stopped beating. [p.19] Clearly, by the time the accused took Belinda to the health centre, she was already dead or at deaths very door step. Dr. Pollanen addressed the issue of how long it would have taken Belinda Tootiak to die from blood loss after her femoral artery was lacerated. He stated: In general, femoral arterial injuries result in rapid blood loss. Thus, in my view, the timing was in the magnitude of minutes rather than an hour, but it is not possible for me to be reliably more specific. [Exhibit 7, Tab 2; emphasis added] Again, the scene photographs are instructive of the large amount of blood lost by Belinda Tootiak. In light of this evidence, the only rational inference which may be drawn concerning the timing of Belinda Tootiaks death is that she had died within a magnitude of minutes from the time she was stabbed twice in the abdomen and then examined by the nurses at the health centre. written submissions, 38-39.

[66] The Crown argues that the two stabbings in the abdomen were not superficial. The accused stabbed Belinda so hard that he impaled the mop handle inside her to a depth on six and two thirds of an inch. It would have taken a considerable amount of force and determination to penetrate her abdomen given the size and bluntness of the end of the mop handle.

(ii) Defence Argument [67] The accused argues that the evidence about the freshness of the injuries suffered by the deceased is not supported in Dr. Pollanens report. There is some evidence on this point in the Report of Death form filled out and filed by Carole Raymond. She relied on a comment in Nurse Bertha Byrnes [Byrne] statement to the police. The paragraph that contains the freshness remark also mentions that the deceased also had old bruising over her body as well. Byrne did not clarify in her remark what bruises were fresh and which were not. As a result Byrnes remark does not provide support for her conclusion and this Court is not in a position to accept the speculation of the Crown. [68] The accused notes the comment at page 30 of the Crowns written submissions that the Report failed to note the presence of the gash over Belindas right eye which, according to nurse Ferguson, would have required sutures. Therefore, one of the alleged fresh injuries is missing from Dr. Pollanens Report entirely and this court does not have the testimony of either Dr. Pollanen or Byrne to explore this omission. [69] The accused argues that without the supporting testimony of Dr. Pollanen the Crown narrative of the events in the house is pure speculation and not proof beyond a reasonable doubt. There is no evidence of whether these injuries occurred contemporaneous to the stabbing or in the hours leading up to it. [70] Some of the injuries may have occurred when the accused transported the deceased to the Health Centre. Without expert on what rational and reasonable inferences may be drawn this Court would be speculating on the basis of photographs and limited descriptions.

[71] The accused argues this Court cannot draw the inferences suggested by the Crown from the blood spatter evidence. The Crown suggests that this evidence supports the conclusion that there was a prolonged beating after the stabbing despite beginning their submissions with the statement that the beating culminated in a stabbing. [72] The accused notes the Crowns statements about the accuseds apparent rage and the horrific nature of the assault drawn from the photographs of the blood. He argues that it is not a common sense inference for the Crown to suggest that a particular cut is consistent with having been caused by a mop handle, a particular bruise from the accuseds fist, or that blood splatter evidence pattern is indicative of a struggle unfolding. These conclusions could only come from expert evidence that the Crown did not call. [73] The accused argues that the Crowns conclusions from the location and nature of the wounds are not helpful in determining whether he was reckless about whether death would ensue. He admits the stabbings were profoundly violent and this court could conclude that he intended to do significant damage to Belinda. However, without expert evidence this court cannot infer from the wounds that the accused had the ability to understand that his actions could kill the victim or that he was reckless whether death would ensue. [74] In support of this argument the accused points out that the Crown did not tender any evidence that the stabbings were inward into the body cavity and vital organs of the deceased. The mop handle did not travel six inches into her body. The pathologist indicates, at page 11 of his Repot, the mop handle travelled along a wound path 17 cm long crosses the midline at the mons and further that it traveled through subcutaneous fat ultimately lacerating the femoral artery. It is not clear from the pathology report how deep the mop actually went into her body. It lacerated the skin and fat until it reached the femoral artery but no evidence it lacerated muscle.

[75] As a result it is open for this Court to conclude that the handle actually traversed a path relatively shallow into and along her abdomen until it lacerated the femoral artery. It is also open for the Court to find that the wound was sexual in nature because it was near her genitals and is consistent with a jealous man intending to cause harm. However, without expert evidence these conclusions are not helpful in drawing a common sense inference that the accused was aware that there was a likelihood that death would ensue. (iii) Analysis [76] The accused admitted in the formal admissions filed as exhibit 1 that he unlawfully assaulted Belinda during an argument that morning. At some point during the assault the accused stabbed Belinda twice in the abdomen with a broken mop handle. I interpret from this admission that the accused admits the assault consisted of at least the two stabbings but may also have included other types of assaults such as being hit with the broom handle and that they occurred during the morning of June 13, 2008. [77] The accuseds arguments about the blood spatter evidence do not challenge the inferences that the stabbings occurred in or very near the bathroom and that the accused continued to beat her with the blood covered mop handle. The same is true about the inference that Belinda was struck by at least one blow in the living room and that she died within a magnitude of minutes from the time she was stabbed twice in the abdomen. [78] Ferguson distinguished between old injuries and new or fresh ones. She noted that:
She did have some old bruising, it looked like, on her lower back It looked like she had some old bruising on her back, her lower back. She also had a laceration over her right eyelid, it was probably half an inch. She also had bruising all down her, the inside of her right forearm. And some on then inside of her left forearm and they kind of looked older, that greeny-yellow colour that bruises get, on her thighs and her shins

Fresh injuries were, she had the laceration over her right eyebrow and she had the two wounds to the abdomen.

[79] Byrne stated that she noticed a laceration over her left eye and bruises on her body. She then further described the injuries as follows:
It was about half an inch, and it looked a little bit deep, it wasnt superficial. Excuse me. She had bruises over her right eye, and on her forehead. On her right arm, in her forearm, right up the axilla, practically, there was bruises. Her right hand, the knuckles, the ring finger and the middle finger, the entire, going into the dorsal of the hand, there was swelling and bruising. There was, I think, her and there, scattered bruises on both her lower legs. RM: From your experience as a registered nurse, what injuries on the victim looked fresh? BB: The laceration over the right eye. RM: Ok. BB: Um, the bruises looked fresh. RM: Ok. BB: The swelling in the hand. RM: Yeah. BB: And the two wounds in the abdomen.

[80] I am satisfied that I may reasonably infer from this evidence that the bruising to her right eyelid and the side of her nose below her right eye and the laceration were fresh injuries. Since I have inferred that she was beaten with the broom handle I am able to conclude without an expert opinion that she received the gash over her eye when she was struck with the broom handle. She received the bruises to her right eyelid and the side of her nose when she was struck a second time with the broom handle.

[81] I am satisfied that the blood spatter inferences are supported by the photographs in Exhibit 3 and that the Crowns description that the walls, doors and the floor in several parts of the residence are awash in blood is a reasonable conclusion. The Crowns statement that the rage of the accused and the violence perpetrated on Belinda was horrific is a statement of opinion. However, and it is certainly a plausible conclusion from this evidence. By way of contrast the victim in Cudjoe suffered a single stab wound that occurred during a struggle and the accused stopped when he realized the knife went inside the victim. She also only suffered a minor cut on her neck and some superficial bruising. Finally, the victim in Cudjoe did not have any blunt force injuries. [82] The accused argues that the two stabbing injuries may be interpreted that he did not have the subjective intent to understand that there was a likelihood that death would ensue from the stabbings. I address this argument in Part VI below. D. If I rely on the propensity evidence I ruled admissible at the voir dire will I be drawing the forbidden inference that because the accused is a bad character and was violent in the past toward the deceased he must have intended to kill her? (i) Crown Argument [83] Relying on Moo the Crown argues that the propensity evidence tendered is both relevant and probative to the issues of the accuseds animus toward Belinda and his motive and intention to kill her. [84] The evidence I ruled admissible at the voir dire as described in Kayaitok provides ample evidence on animus, motive, and state of mind of the accused when he stabbed Belinda twice in the abdomen.

[85] On September 15, two counselors, Leona Krejunark [Krejunark] and Brenda Quaqjuaq [Quaqjuaq] were summoned to the Wellness Centre to assist Belinda after she fled the violence that occurred in her home that night. Their statements described a young woman in considerable pain who had been badly beaten and had bite marks on her. Photographs taken by the police and Health Centre records corroborate the statements. [86] The deceaseds statement to the attending nurse clearly described that the accused threatened to kill her and her children nine months before he killed her on June 13, 2008. In response to the threat Belinda fled the residence and ended up at the Health Centre. [87] The violence in the relationship escalated in the months leading to June 13, 2008, particularly in the month of May. In one incident her sister and brother-in-law described the deceased coming to their house in bare feet through the snow on the ground at noon covered in Vim and Mr. Clean. Tony Immingarks [Immingark] statement is highly significant because it indicated that the violence that day was caused because the accused thought she was fooling around with another guy. These statements prove that the accused had a continuing and festering animus toward Belinda over his suspicions that she was having an affair with Roland Heisinger. [88] Further evidence that the relationship was in crisis comes from exhibit 12, Tab 4 which is the medical report on the incident that happened on May 10, 2008. It stated that when Belinda arrived at the Health Centre she was distraught, limping, and very badly beaten. She had bit marks and multiple bruising. The accused had used enough force on her when he pulled her jaw that she saw stars. The reason she was assaulted was again recorded as because she was seeing another man. [89] This propensity evidence must be considered with the entirety of the crowns case. These statements and the corroborating extensive physical injuries and eyewitness observations pointing to other violent attacks by the accused are credible and reliable indicators of the continuing animus of the accused toward

Belinda. In particular, at page 15 of the accuseds statement to Christopher Amautinuar that he wanted to kill Roland Heisinger because he was fucking around with Belinda informs and explains the animus and motive behind the fatal and violent attack against Belinda on June 13, 2008. (ii) Defence argument [90] Relying on R. v Gauthier [1977] 1 SCR 441, 27 C.C.C. (2d) 14 the accused argues that, despite my voir dire ruling, I can reconsider whether the propensity evidence is probative on the issue of the specific intent. [91] The accused acknowledges that the propensity evidence would be relevant if there was an inconsistency in the Crowns evidence between what he admits happened in the actus reas and what the evidence relied on by the Crown implies or proves about the actus reas. However, there is no inconsistency suggested by the Crowns case. [92] The propensity evidence may have been relevant if there was any evidence of motive in the Crowns case. However, this Court held in Kayaitok that there was no evidence of motive. [93] The Crown is essentially asking this Court to draw a conclusion based on the theory that the propensity evidence presented can be used to find the accused had the requisite specific intent at the time of the stabbing. [94] As noted by this Court in Kayaitok the admissions made by the accused significantly impact the relevance of the propensity evidence. [95] Relying on R v Batte [2000] OJ No 2184, 49 OR (3d) 321; R v Dupras, 2000 BCSC 1128, [2000] BCJ No 1513; R v Kringuk, 2012 NUCJ 20, 104 WCB (2d) 359 [Kringuk]; and R. v VanEindhoven, 2012 NUCA 05, 2012 NuJ No 15 [VanEindhoven]; the accused argues that evidence of animus is not relevant to the issue of specific intent.

[96] These cases have held that propensity evidence is relevant when identity is at issue and in the determination of whether the accused had the general intent to commit assault. Since the accused has admitted he killed the deceased when he assaulted her with a weapon that caused her death and that he had the general intent required for the offence of assault with a weapon there is no logical nexus between the prior assaultive behavior and whether the accused had the specific intent for second degree murder at the time of the stabbing. [97] The accused argues that the threat to kill the deceased was made a year prior to her death. The contemporaneous threat to kill was made against another person. [98] The accused also argues that the Crowns argument that the deceaseds desire to leave Kugaaruk is somehow relevant to the specific intent for murder is very tenuous. This evidence would also be relevant to the general intent required for assault and does not assist this Court. [99] The accused distinguishes the case at bar from other case like Kringuk where the nature of the behavior was relevant to the issue before the court. In that case the propensity evidence before the court was that of prior acts of threatening behavior by shooting that specifically related to the manner of death by shooting. Also unlike the case at bar the accused did not make any admissions. [100] The accused distinguishes the case at bar from other domestic murder cases that have admitted propensity evidence like R v Hindessa, [2009] OJ No 3837, 2009 CarswellOnt 5495, [Hindessa]. In Hindessa, unlike the case at bar, the Crown adduced evidence of specific intent that was supported by the propensity evidence. Furthermore in Hindessa, unlike the case at bar, the defence raised other defences on issues about the mental capacity of the accused so that the propensity evidence was relevant to the credibility of these defences.

[101] Since the propensity evidence sits by itself and does not support other direct evidence of intent it is only being used to make the forbidden inference of concluding from the bad past character of the accused that he must have intended to kill the deceased at the time of the stabbing. [102] In cases where propensity evidence was admitted it was necessary to guard against the trier of fact obtaining a dangerously inaccurate picture of the relationship between the parties. This type of concern is not present in the case at bar because the accused has made major admissions not present in many other cases. The relationship standing alone has no bearing on the issue of the specific intent of the accused. [103] The accused disagrees with the Crowns use of the words escalating pattern of violence that began in 2007. He submits that it only shows a pattern of violence that is unhelpful in resolving the issue of his intent. The accused history of violence against the deceased does not mean he intended to kill her on June 13, 2007. Similarly the fact that he made other threats on the same day does not mean he intended to kill her. (iii) Analysis [104] The Crown argues that it has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused had the intent required under both section 229 (a)(i) and 229 (a)(ii) of the Criminal Code. It does not rely on the propensity evidence for a conviction under section 229 (a)(i) because at page 48 of its written submissions it notes that the Court need not consider the evidence of the nature of the parties domestic relationship in order to convict the accused of second degree murder.

[105] As I held in Kayaitok animus is very relevant to the issue of specific intent. I stated at paragraph 91:
However, the issue of animus is in a different category. The accused acknowledges that Dupras establishes the principle that evidence of animus can be relevant to the issue of the intent required for seconddegree murder. The accused argues that the Crown must prove a continuing animus that was contemporaneous with the offence. The Crown evidence covers a long period from 1994 to 2008 and does not prove a continuing animus up to the date of the killing because there were many violent incidents that were broken by periods of reconciliation.

[106] The judgment applied the rationale of Dupras by holding that evidence of violence in the relationship prior to the threat to kill made on September 15, 2007, became more irrelevant to the issue of intent the further it was from the date of death. However, because there was an acceleration in the violence starting in 2006 including the threat to kill on September 15, 2007, I was satisfied that the Crown had proved there was a continuing animus that was relevant to the issue of intent and permitted the Crown to rely on that evidence. I continue to hold that view and decline to reconsider the conclusion in Kayaitok. [107] Although I did state in paragraph 90 that, there is nothing in the Crown materials that is relevant to a motive, I did not have the benefit of the Crowns written submissions that focused the voluminous evidence tendered in Kayaitok. I am now satisfied that there was evidence of motive and continuing animus in the evidence tendered for the period after September 15, 2007. The Crown relies on only a small part of that evidence that would qualify as propensity evidence as an alternative argument under section 229 (a)(ii). [108] While the accuseds admissions distinguish the case at bar from Kringuk, VanEindhoven and Hindessa they do not remove the probative value of the evidence after September 15, 2007. As I stated in paragraph 99 of Kayaitok the probative value outweighs any prejudice to the accused.

[109] The evidence about the deceaseds desire to leave Kugaaruk is not propensity evidence. It comes from the deceaseds mother Neevee Tootiak [Neevee]. As noted at page 35 of the Crowns written submissions, Neevee reported two conversations with the deceased on June 7 and 8, 2008. In one statement Belinda said she was afraid she would die during the next anticipated beating. The credibility of the deceased fear for her life was corroborated by Neevees reported conversation as well as the medical record of June 2, 2008, and a statement by nurse Jennifer Davidson [Davidson] that a desperate Belinda was preparing to flee Kugaaruk with her two young children. As I stated in Kayaitok the deceaseds statements are admissible hearsay under Kahn while the evidence of Nurse Davidson is admissible hearsay under section 26 (1) of the Canada Evidence Act RSC 1985, c C-5 [110] The accuseds argument that the lack of direct evidence would increase the risk that I would conclude, on the basis of the propensity evidence alone, that he had the specific intent for murder is not valid. It is not uncommon in domestic murders that there are no witnesses to the killing. To prove the intent the Crown must rely on circumstantial evidence. As I have previously ruled the accuseds post-offence conduct is admissible evidence. With the benefit of this evidence and the expert reports the Crown has woven together a very plausible argument without relying on the propensity evidence except as an alternative argument. There is no risk that I will conclude that the accused had the requisite intent because he was a bad character and the evidence is admissible in this case. VI. FINAL ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION A. Section 229 (a)(i) [111] The unchallenged evidence of Christopher Amauntinuar [Amauntinar], Jeffrey Ittinangnak [Ittinangnak] and Anna Tootiak proves that Belinda appeared healthy and normal on June 2 and shortly after midnight on June 3.

(i) Threat to kill Roland Heisinger [112] At pages 2-3 of Amauntinars statement he stated that on the night before the accused killed Belinda, when he was calm and sober, he told him that:
he wanted to hurt somebody or kill someone. And he didnt, at first he didnt, he didnt say who it was going to be, but then when, after he told me, you know, and I asked him who he wanted to hurt or kill, and he goes, Roland. Thats simply, he said, Roland. Q. Do you know who Roland is? A. Roland is someone from out of town, he was. I think his last name is Hiesinger... . Q. Did he speak anythingin addition to this, or thats it? A. I asked him, I asked him why he would want to kill Roland, and he tells me that he was fucking, or Roland was fucking around with Belinda, you know, thats what he told me. And you know, I simply told him, you dont have to kill him, you know, beat him up, teach him a lesson, but do not kill him, dont kill him. You know. Thats the only thing I told him.

(ii) Belindas fear of being killed [113] At pages 2 and 7 of her statement Neevee also reported two conversations she had with her daughter on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, 2008. At page 7 she stated that on the Saturday her daughter refused to go seal hunting with the accused because she feared that she would be beaten again. Then, the following day during another telephone conversation, Belinda told her mother that the accused wanted to beat her up all the time:
PM Did she anything at all, about their relationship on June 8th, on Sunday? NT She said that, even, like even if theyre not high, or theyre sober, you know, sober all the time, he would scold her, or want to beat her up all the time.

PM Ok. Did she tell you that on Sunday? NT Yeah. Mmhm. She said she was really, really, scared.

[114] At page 2 Neevee said that Belinda was so afraid that she feared she might die during the next, anticipated beating. She stated:
PM: She was scared of what? NT: Of her. Of Bruce. That he might, you know, accidentally really hurt her, and she might not come back. Because she said one time he beat her up so bad when she got up she had pins and needles on her tongue. She said she was, um, when he punched her she must have been knocked out. And she said she was afraid that she might not make it this time. Because shes always scared, she said.

[115] The credibility of Belindas fear for her life is corroborated by Neevees statement to Davidson, recorded in the medical record of June 2nd, that Belinda was preparing to flee Kugaaruk with her two young children. Tony Immingarks statement of March 2 records that Belinda also told him that about a week before she was killed that she was planning on using her next child tax credit check to take the two boys from Kugaaruk. [116] At page 2 of her statement Neevee also reported on Belindas plan to flee Kugaaruk. On the Sunday before she was killed, her daughter had told her that she had spoken to social services and she was waiting for a call from a social worker. Belinda told her mother she was hopeful that the department would pay for her and her two sons to leave Kugaaruk to return to Gjoa Haven. This conversation is corroborated by the record of Belindas visit to the health centre on June 2, 2008, to use their telephone to call the social worker in Gjoa Haven.
1900 Pt phoned NOC [Nurse on Call] asking to speak w SW no long distance @ residence Pt to HC to speak to S[andra] Weir in Gjoa Haven

Sandra Weir was the social worker assigned to the Kayaitok/Tootiak file.

[117] Further evidence of Belindas intention to flee is apparent at page 4-5 of Christophers statement when he stated that several weeks before the accused killed Belinda:
that hes been having problems with Belinda. And he goes, you know, Im so, Im so tired of all this problem, I really, I want, I wanna let her go, I wanna kick her out of my househis plan was to, you know, separate with her.

[118] Belindas statements clearly indicate that tensions were building to a crisis. This evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Belinda was thinking of leaving Kugaaruk and that the accused was so jealous of his wifes suspected infidelity that he was threatening to kill her alleged lover only hours before he beat and stabbed her to death. I am satisfied that I may draw the reasonable inference that animus and jealousy fueled the accuseds anger and informed his intent to murder Belinda the following morning. (iii) Sobriety of accused [119] I earlier inferred that Belinda died within minutes of the second stabbing. This evidence ties in with observations made by Nurse Charmaine Saunders [Saunders] and police officers Cpl. Ryan Snodgrass [Snodgrass] and Sgt. Maurice Poisson [Poisson] about the apparent sobriety of the accused at the Health Centre that are very relevant to the accuseds state of mind and mens rea at the time of the stabbings. Saunders and Snodgrass both stated that the accused did not smell of alcohol and appeared completely sober. Poisson testified at page 7 of the transcript of Kayaitok as follows:
Q. Can you please tell the court how he appeared as you entered the room? A. He was just standing there. Q. what his demeanour or affect was like at this first point in time? A. I did not see anything outstanding on him. You know, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

Q. What happened after youentered the room? A. One of the nurses mentioned a knife. Erin Ferguson stated Belinda was dead, or deceasedand one of the nurses actually stated something about being stabbed. Q. How, if at all, did Bruce Kayaitok react to these things being said? A. I do not recall any reaction out of him for the knife. I dont recall any reaction to (sic) him in reference to her being dead. The comment about stabbed, it was made and it was made and all of a sudden he said, She fell on a broom, a broom handle, actually, and then Cst. Snodgrass told him that he had to come with us, Youre a suspect. Youre under arrest. Q. Did Bruce appear to understand what Cst. Snodgrass had just said to him? A. Yes, he did. Q. At this time did Bruce appear to be oriented to his circumstances and surroundings? A. Yes, he was. Q. At this time, Sergeant, did you make any observations with respect to Bruces apparent state of sobriety? A. I was watching him. It was a continual flow from there walking over to the office as well. I could not detect any difference in walking. He did not appear to be under any influence. He walked like a person normally would, to the best of my knowledge. Q. Did you notice any indicia that Bruce had recently consumed any drugs? A. No, sir. Q. At this time, what was Bruces apparent state of health? A. I did not notice anything wrong with him in reference to he had a small cut, but that was basically it. Walking-wise, he was okay. Talking-wise, he was okay. There was no slurring of words. He appeared to be normal.

[120] Ittinangnak noted in his statement that the accused was sober at 11:00 p.m. the night before while at paragraph 28 of Kayaitok I held that the accused was sober when he was arrested and fully comprehended what was going on. [121] I infer from this evidence that the accused was sober when arrested at 7:50 a.m. and about a half-hour earlier when he first entered the Health Centre. (iv) Common sense inference about likelihood of death from stabbings [122] The timing of Belindaa death from exsanguination and the accuseds sobriety at the Health Centre are critical factors in assessing the mens rea of the accused at the time he stabbed her. Since the accused was sober at the Health Centre and Belinda died within a magnitude of minutes of the stabbing I draw the rational conclusion that the accused was also sober at the time he stabbed Belinda twice with the mop handle. [123] The Crown argues I should interpret Dr. Pollanens report, using the common sense inference described in Walle, to conclude it is entirely predictable, to the average healthy sober adult, that a person will likely die if they are stabbed in the abdomen to a depth of six and two thirds inches. [124] The accused argues that the report does not support such an inference because the report is not clear about how deep the mop actually went into her body. It lacerated the skin and fat until it reached the femoral artery but there is no evidence it lacerated muscle. As a result it is open for this Court to conclude that the handle actually traversed a path relatively shallow into and along her abdomen until it lacerated the femoral artery. It is also open for the Court to find that the wound was sexual in nature because it was near her genitals and is consistent with a jealous man intending to cause harm. However, without expert evidence these conclusions are not helpful in drawing a common sense inference that the accused was aware that there was a likelihood that death would ensue.

[125] In Walle the accused shot the victim in the chest at close range with a .22-calibre rifle and killed him. The trial judge rejected the accuseds argument that he accidentally pulled the trigger and that the discharge of the gun had been unintentional. He then applied the common sense inference to conclude that the accused either knew that the reasonable and probable consequence was that he would cause the victims death or would cause grievous bodily harm that would likely cause his death and was reckless whether death ensued or not. [126] On appeal the accused argued that the trial judge failed to consider the relevant features of the evidence that could have impacted the accuseds awareness of his actions including evidence the appellant had recently been held in hospital under a mental health warrant, had developmental delays, and had been drinking to a point short of impairment before the killing. The Alberta Court of Appeal denied the appeal. [127] The Supreme Court of Canada also denied the appeal because the accused did not argue at trial that he was unaware of the consequences of his actions. The Court also held that the trial judge did consider the evidence of the accuseds alcohol consumption but was not left with a reasonable doubt stating:
The trial judge considered the salient features of the evidence that could have impacted on the appellant's awareness of the consequences of his actions. In the end, the trial judge was left in no doubt that the appellant was anything other than fully aware of the fatal consequences that were likely to follow when he pulled the trigger. Only then did the trial judge revert to the "common sense inference" as a basis for finding that the appellant had the requisite intent for second degree murder.

[128] In the case at bar the accused was sober and alcohol consumption is not an issue. He was fully aware of what he was doing and, unlike the accused in Cudjoe, he cannot argue that he stopped when he realized what had happened when he stabbed Belinda the first time. He went on and stabbed her a second time.

[129] In addition to the accuseds admission that he stabbed Belinda twice in the abdomen, the photographs, statements of Byrne and Ferguson, and the inferences I have made from the blood splatter evidence satisfy me that the beating the accused inflicted on Belinda was vicious and prolonged. He stabbed her twice near the bathroom and then continued to beat her with the mop handle as she fled to the living room dying from her injuries. [130] While the depth of the wound may be subject to some interpretation I am satisfied that I can apply the common sense inference to conclude that the average healthy sober adult would know that a person is likely to die if they are stabbed twice in the abdomen. (v) The accuseds post offence conduct [131] As I ruled earlier immediate post offence conduct of the accused is probative to the issue of his capacity to form a specific intent to kill at the time he stabbed Belinda. [132] After the assault there is evidence that the accused attempted to clean up and mop up the blood before taking Belinda to the health centre. Sgt. Mary Lane [Lane] observed in paragraph 1 on page 2 of exhibit 10 that a red stained towel, blue jeans, and a t-shirt were in a pile on the floor of the closet next to the bathroom door which appeared to have been used to mop the floor. She also reported in paragraph 2 that the blood on the bathroom floor had been diluted with water in an attempt to clean up. She found a red soaked cloth in the bathroom garbage bin. She reported in paragraph 9 that she found the blood stained mop in the middle of the kitchen floor. In paragraph 10 she states she found a red stained towel on a kitchen chair and in paragraph 11 she states she found a wash bucket on the kitchen floor near the south east window.

[133] The observations of S/ Sgt. Geoff Ellis [Ellis] in exhibit 9 also support the inference that the accused attempted to clean up. He reported that the blood not only on the bathroom floor, but on the floor elsewhere and the south living room wall showed signs of dilution consistent with a clean up. Finally Tab 22 of exhibit 3 is a picture of the blood soaked mop. [134] I am satisfied that it would have taken the accused some time to attempt the clean up described by Lane and Ellis and that it is evidence of a lack of immediate concern for Belindas health and well being when he should have been aware that she needed immediate emergency health care. [135] While the lack of concern for Belindas immediate health care and attempted clean up in isolation may suggest an inference consistent with manslaughter similar to Angelis, there is a much stronger inference in favour of murder when the indifference of the accused is tied to the attempted clean up and fabricated story he told to the nurses and police. [136] As set out at page 3 of Tab 2 of exhibit 2 the accused told Byrne when she first saw him in the emergency room that she fell in the shower. While Byrne was on the phone the accused said she fell on a broom, I pulled it out of her stomach. As set out at page 3 of Tab 3 of exhibit 2 the accused repeated the same words to Ferguson. As set out at page 1 of Tab 8 of exhibit 2 the accused told Saunders that Belinda fell in the shower. At page 2 the accused told her that he cut his hand taking the mop handle out of her stomach. It is also noted that the accused told Saunders a third story that they were in the shower together and she fell. [137] Attached as Appendix A is a copy of the relevant parts of the the voir dire evidence of Snodgrass, Poisson, and Cst. Joe Baines confirming the accuseds statements to the nurses and other relevant exculpatory statements where he lied to the police about what happened.

[138] Finally, the accused carried the murder weapon with him to the living room after he stabbed Belinda at or near the bathroom and placed it deliberately and purposefully between two cushions on the couch. [139] I agree with of the Crowns conclusion at page 42 of the written submissions at that the accuseds behavior is entirely consistent with the repeated lies he told the nurses and police. In this context I am satisfied that the attempted clean up was an attempt to clean up the evidence. [140] I also agree with the Crown that this evidence is compelling proof, not of manslaughter versus second-degree murder, but of cognitive functioning and purposeful conduct. [141] It follows from this analysis that I am satisfied that the Crown has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused intended to kill Belinda when he stabbed her twice in the abdomen on the morning of June 13, 2008, and I convict him of second degree murder contrary to section 229 (a)(i) of the Criminal Code. B. Section 229 (1)(a)(ii) [142] The Crown argues the accused may also be convicted under the section 229 (1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code. The evidence also proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused meant to cause Belinda bodily harm that he knew was likely to cause her death and that he was reckless whether she lived or died. [143] The Crown relies on the propensity evidence, that I earlier ruled was admissible, to support its argument that the accused had a continuing animus toward Belinda as well as the motive and the state of mind to satisfy the intent for this section.

[144] At pages 22-24 of exhibit 2 Tabs 6-7 Quaqjuaq described what she and Krejunark saw on the night of September 15, 2007, when called to the wellness to attend upon a badly beaten Belinda as follows:
She was in the bath tub I just started crying for her. I was just like holy. She was in the bath tub now, my cousin Bernice was giving her a bath. She was so bruised up from head to toe she was shaking. Around her head some parts of it was pulled hair of some part of it was lumps and bruised, some part of it was bleeding on her face was bruised up, around her eyes were all bruised. Her arm, her body, her legs, her feet, her fingers all over was bruised and swelling. I cant remember which finger had bite mark.

[145] This evidence is corroborated by the photographs taken by Cpl. Ryan Snodgrass marked as exhibit 4, Tabs 12 & 13 and by the corresponding Health Centre medical records and anatomical charts marked as exhibit 12,Tabs 1-3. [146] As I noted at paragraph 96 in Kayaitok, Belinda came to the Health Centre that night because the accused had threatened to kill her and her children. [147] At paragraphs 87 and 88 above I described another incident in May, 2008, that was indicative of the increasing violence in the relationship. Immingarks statement is set out below:
TI about a month ago, she ran to my house, no shoes, no jacket, crying. And that was about lunch, lunch time. JM Ok. TI She was being accused of fooling around with another gu y, while they were on a medical JM And thats about a month ago? TI Yeah. That was about a month ago. And Bruce was keeping a very close eye on my sister-in-law. Bruce would call every, like fifteen minutes. Im not too sure for what, but. She mentioned Bruce was always accusing her that she was trying to go out with Rolandbut I know they were good friends, there, really close friends.

JM Yeah. TI Just came to our house crying. And she was saying, Bruce is going to beat me up, Bruce is going to get me. She wanted to go out of my house, and I said, no, Bruce is not going to go in here, you stay here. Dont go anywhere else. If you want to call the RCMP, but youre not going to go near Bruce. JM was there any physical signs of, her having been assaulted that time? TI Yeah. Yes. [p.21] He then went on to state: JM Ok. Can you tell me about that? TI Well, Belinda was saying that Bruce biting her, Im not sure where, by the back. But when she got in, she was into a lot of pain, which I havent seen before. JM How did you know she was in pain? TI She couldnt barely stand up. Anna was trying to get her to sit on the couch but she was hurting. I believe somewhere on her back. Because Bruce was biting and punching her, I believe. TI She had a nosebleed on her. JM Ok. TI Bruce must have hit her on the body, I know on the back for sure, because when Anna was trying to move her, she felt a lot of pain on her back. [p.22]

[148] Anna noted at page 13 of her statement that there was another incident around this time.
And she would always get mad, because her kids had nothing to eat, and she was wondering how, how she was going to feed them. She was telling me her common-law cant work, he cant, start crying. HC So they would sometimes fight about money? AT Yeah.

[149] As I noted at paragraph 88 the medical report of May 10, 2008, points to a relationship in crisis. It states:
2020 Pt walked into clinic & adult female escort and Pts son. Reported spousal assault today at 1430 hr Boyfriend accused her of seeing another man when she went to visit her sister today Boyfriend punched her and kicked her limbs & pulled hair out of crown? Area of her head. Stomped his feet on her toes & fore feet. Grabbed hold of her neck & pulled her jaw forward No choking/strangulation attempts made LOC at one point Pt. states she saw stars while having jaw pulled. Also bit her hands/armsslight limp arrived at HC w sister; very distraught cryingspeech clearneck reddish bruising, == ant & lat aspects of neck. Multiple bruising to face R side of nasal septum, R exterior ear. Limbs/skin: multiple bruising to limbs [see Trauma/anatomical chartPt c/o pain R lat hip when walkingNo substance abuse. A Spousal assault multiple hematomas & soft tissue bruising P RCMP notified2130Pt. escorted to RCMP office by two constables.

[p.30] [150] The reason Belinda gave for the beating was the accused thought she was seeing another man. [151] The Crown argues that this evidence must be considered along with the entirety of the Crowns evidence. These ante mortem hearsay statements, and the corroborating, extensive physical injuries and eyewitness observations pointing to another violent attack by the accused, are credible and reliable indicators of the continuing animus of the accused toward Belinda Tootiak. In this context, the accuseds statement to Christopher Amautinuar that he wanted to kill Roland Heisinger because he was fucking around with Belinda informs and explains the animus and motive behind the fatal and violent attack against Belinda Tootiak on June 13, 2008. [152] The Crown argues that if I am not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of the guilt of the accused under section 229 (1)(a) (i) after considering the evidence of June 12 and 13, 2008, I should consider this background and context evidence.

[153] I am satisfied that taken in its entirety, the Crowns evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the crisis in the parties relationship was escalating from September, 2007 onward and especially in the immediate month before she was killed. The background and context evidence proves beyond any doubt that by Saturday evening, June 12, 2008, the animus held by the accused toward Belinda Tootiak was ready to explode. That explosion came on June 13, 2008, when the accused decided that fateful morning to murder Belinda Tootiak either before or during that prolonged and vicious assault. [154] I am satisfied that the accused is also guilty under section 229 (1)(a)(ii).

Dated at the City of Iqaluit this 23th day of August, 2013.

____________________ Mr. Justice Earl D. Johnson Nunavut Court of Justice

Appendix A The number found after each excerpt refers to the corresponding page number in the transcript. Cpl. Ryan Snodgrass testified on January 19, 2012: Direct examination by Ms. Porteous:
Q. Did you make any observations when you arrived about Mr. Kayaitok and his demeanour at the time? A. I dont recall anything significant from him at all. Like, he seemed to be somewhat calm. Like, he wasnt didnt appear to be upset or crying, or you know, yelling or screaming, anything like that. He was just quite quiet and just kind of standing. [9] A. Yes, one of the nurses, and I dont recall which one, had mentioned something about knife wounds and that Belinda was deceased; and then Bruce had mentioned that she fell on a broom [9, emphasis added] Q. Are you able to describe his tone of voice or his demeanour while he was saying it? A. I guess, again, nothing significant. For the most party he just seemed I dont recall him being upset or very emotional at that point, or you know, I just dont recall anything significant at that point. [10] Q. When you dealt with Bruce on those occasions, did you get a sense of what his fluency in English was like? A. Yeah, he appeared to understand English just fine. Thats the only language I ever communicated in with him. [12] Q. How about on this occasion, did you make any observations at this point about his apparent state of sobriety? A. He appeared completely sober to me. I noticed no signs or symptoms of being impaired or having consumed alcohol. [13] A. I dont recall him replying to anything I said, or saying anything after I told him that he was under arrest at that point. [15]

Q. As far as you could tell, did he appear to be oriented to his circumstances and his surroundings? A. Yes [15] Q. Did you make any observations about his apparent state of health? A. He appeared healthy to melike, he was functioning fine on his own [15] Q. did you notice any indicia of drug use? A. No, I did not [16] Q. Did Mr. Kayaitok have any difficulty navigating this slope or the rockiness? A. No [18-19] Q. And what was his demeanour like, and his behaviour, on the way over? A. I dont recall any significant like, emotion coming out of him, like crying, or angry, or anything like that. [20] Q. Did you have any trouble understanding Bruce at the time? A. No. [26] Q. was he oriented to his circumstances and what was going on around him? A. Yes. [27] Q. at this time did you notice any indicia of alcohol, or drug use, or poor health? A. No. [27] A. I seized the top half of a broken mop that was found on the couch, and then ... I seized the bottom half of a mop found in the kitchen. [42] Q. Did you see a broom in the house at all? A. I dont I dont recall remembering a broom. [42] Q. As the exhibits officer, can you tell us if a broom was ever seized from the premises? A. No, there wasnt. [42]

Q. was there any sign of any discolouration, residue, or anything of that sort on the mop? A. Yes, the mop part of it, like the bristles, or whatever you want to call them, they were like blood soaked. [43, emphasis added]

Cross examination by Mr. Mahar:

Q. But is it possible that there was some small odour but you were otherwise preoccupied and maybe just didnt notice it? A. No, its a fairly its not a very large room, if there was an odour of liquor Im quite positive I would have noticed it. [50] A. In the recording he sounded distraught towards the end of it, but again, I was the interview room that we did that in was a small room, I didnt observe any signs of impairment, and he had a dialogue with me, he was asking me, For what, and, I didnt do anything, so to me he understood what was happening. [51]

Sgt. Maurice Poisson testified on January 19, 2012 Direct examination by Mr. Bychok
Q. How long were you in the room, Sergeant, before you first noticed Bruce Kayaitok? A. He was right in front of us. As soon as we entered you could see him. [64] Q. Can you please tell the court how he appeared as you entered the room? A. He was just standing there. I cant tell you what direction he was looking at. I just remember he was just standing there off to the right and he was at the foot at the very the bottom portion of the bed. [65] Q. what his demeanour or affect was like at this first point in time? A. I did not see anything outstanding on him. You know, there was nothing out of the ordinary. [65] Q. What happened after youentered the room? A. One of the nurses mentioned a knife. Erin Ferguson stated Belinda was dead, or deceasedand one of the nurses actually stated something about being stabbed. [65]

Q. How, if at all, did Bruce Kayaitok react to these things being said? A. I do not recall any reaction out of him for the knife. I dont recall any reaction to (sic) him in reference to her being dead. The comment about stabbed, it was made and it was made and all of a sudden he said, She fell on a broom, a broom handle, actually, and then Cst. Snodgrass told him that he had to come with us, Youre a suspect. Youre under arrest. [66, emphasis added] Q. Did Bruce appear to understand what Cst. Snodgrass had just said to him? A. Yes, he did. [67] Q. At this time did Bruce appear to be oriented to his circumstances and surroundings? A. Yes, he was. [67] Q. At this time, Sergeant, did you make any observations with respect to Bruces apparent state of sobriety? A. I was watching him. It was a continual flow from there walking over to the office as well. I could not detect any difference in walking. He did not appear to be under any influence. He walked like a person normally would, to the best of my knowledge. [67] Q. Did you notice any indicia that Bruce had recently consumed any drugs? A. No, sir. [67] Q. At this time, what was Bruces apparent state of health? A. I did not notice anything wrong with him in reference to he had a small cut, but that was basically it. Walking-wise, he was okay. Talking-wise, he was okay. There was no slurring of words. He appeared to be normal. [68] Q. Now, at the time that the three of you started to leave the room at the health centre, how would you describe Bruces apparent mood? A. He was quiet. He just walked. I dont recall him being he wasnt moody. There didnt appear to be anything wrong with him. He just appeared normal to me. [68] Q. At any time did Bruce require any assistance walking that distance from the health centre, up the stairs and into the detachment? A. No, he didnt. [70]

A. While we wee walking over Bruce commented that theyd been in the shower together, that she fell on a broken broom handle, and there was lots of blood from the bathroom to the living-room. [73, emphasis added Q. Did you have any difficulty understanding any of the words that you have just described to the court? A. None whatsoever. His words were clear. [73] Q. Did he say these words in response to anything prior that you had said to him? A. I was trying not to say anything to him [73] Q. As a result of your experiences in dealing with Bruce, how would you describe his fluency in the English language? A. He speaks English very well. He might put on an accent on a certain thing, but theres no problem communicating with him, and no problem with understanding what he says, or him understanding me. [74] Q. At the time that he said these words to you while you were walking back to the detachment, how would you describe how he sounded with respect to apparent sobriety? A. He was sober. [75] Q. During the cure of that walk did you smell any odour of alcohol to any extent? A. I could not detect any alcohol on him at all. [76] Q. Could you detect the odour of any drug use during this walk? A. No. [76] Q. Now, at this exact point in time when Bruce makes those comments, did he appear to be oriented to his circumstances and surroundings? A. Yes, he was. [76] Q. Now, what was your next contact with Bruce that morning?

A. we went back to the interview roomand he placed him under arrest for the murder of BelindaNow, his response, and this is approximately at 8:45 a.m. 8:47 a.m., he said, For what? I didnt do nothing. [86, emphasis added] Q. And then what happened? A. Ryan read the police caution off the card and he asked Bruce if he understood, and Bruce replied, Yeah, but he also said, I didnt do anything, as well. I didnt do anything, but he had he said, I didnt do nothing, and then it was just a change in tone at the end of the word. [86, emphasis added] Q. Please carry on. A. He asked me why he was there, and I told him, Youre under arrest for the murder of Belinda, and he said, I didnt do anything. We were doing good, and he put the he word the way he said it, it was, I didnt do anything. We were doing good. [101,

emphasis added]
Q. Did you have difficulty understanding him at all at this time? A. No. [101] Q. Did he appear to have any difficulty understanding what you were saying to him? A. No. [101] Q. What did he say? A. He said there were two holes in her, and he said I he lowered his voice and it was, I dont know, and I didnt quite catch the last part of the comment, and after he said that I walked into my office. [102]

Cross examination by Mr. Mahar

Q. Even if you cant remember what the exact words were A. Not in the two holes. There were two holes, like he knew there were two holes, but after that it was as if, I dont know why, or I dont know how come. [110]

Cst. Joe Baines testified on September 10, 2012

The official transcript of this voir dire proceeding [OT] contains several references to unintelligible so the Crown also have cited portions of the Crowns own internally produced transcript. The audio disc which contains the following evidence and the transcript were filed with the Court as exhibits during the voir dire and are contained within the Court file. All page references are to the official transcript OT or to the Crown transcript numbers alone. Direct examination by Ms. Porteous Cst. Baines testified that he flew into Kugaaruk on June 13th to assist in the investigation. He testified that later that same day, at 4:11 p.m., he entered the accuseds cell with Cpl. Snodgrass to seize the accuseds pants and to give him fresh clothing. The first part of exhibit 2, recording #1, was played to the Court. The first set of initials refers to the investigator, the second set to the accused or witness:
JB Want a cigarette? No? ok. Hows the finger? BK (Unintelligible) Youre going to keep me? JB Oh probably. Pardon? You werent told, Ryan told you, earlier, that you were arrested for murder? On Belinda Tootiak? BK I didnt even touch her.

A few moments later, the following words were exchanged:

JB Ok. So any time you need something, just ask for me, ok. Joe, my names Joe. And I work out of Iqaluit. BK Look, I never touched her at all. JB You never touched her at all? BK I never, she slipped..

JB Shes what? BK Broken mop. JB Oh, she slipped? BK Yeah. She was taking a shower and then she was walking around and that fucking broken mop was there. It cut her stomach. I was, I brought her up to the health centre, for (unintelligible) I was calling for the nurse for five minutes, and she couldnt hear me. Those nurses. [OT14-15, emphases added]

At this point in his evidence, Cst. Baines testified:

He was speaking clearly. I didnt notice any use of alcohol, drugs or anything like that. I didnt get any indication that he was under the influence of anything. [OT19] Q. Was there anything that made you concerned about his health? A. No. [OT19]

Cst. Baines returned to the cell twenty minutes later and the following exchange was played for the Court (referred to as recording #2 in voir dire exhibit 2):
JB Can you come to the door? I just want to make sure you understand clearly why youre here, ok? BK Mmhm [2] JB Yeah, earlier Ryan told you this morning why you were here, and I told you about five minutes ago why you were here, right? Do you understand why youre here, now? BK For, what did I do wrong? [3] JB Youre here, youre under arrest for, for the murder of Belinda Tootiak. Do you understand that, Bruce? BK I never even touched her. JB Ok, before you, before you, before you start saying anything, any time anyones in custody, or under arrest by the police, they have the right to call a lawyer, ok? Do you want to call a lawyer, Bruce?

BK Yeah. JB Pardon?, Yeah? BK Yeah, I got no choice but to call a lawyer. JB Ok. All right. BK I didnt do nothing. [3, emphases added]

While Cst. Baines was attempting to contact defence counsel, the exhibit reveals the accused said:
BK Oh, Im fucking confused. I never even touched her. [4] BK Am I gonna go home, after, or? [5] JB Pardon? BK Am I gonna go home after, or? JB Youre, youre staying in custody. BK Why? JB Because youre under arrest for what I told you earlier. BK That. [5]

Cst. Baines repeated that assessment of the accused a bit later in his testimony:
He seemed normal to metheres no indication that he was ill or under the influence of anything. [OT29]

Cst. Baines then testified to his interaction with the accused at 4:48 p.m. that day when the nurse came to treat the accuseds injured finger. Exhibit 2, recording #3 was played for the Court where the following exchange was heard:
JB Theres no sewing equipment in the tray, so shes going to go get some. BK How long am I going to be here? [7]

JB Pardon? BK How long am I gonna be here? JB Youre gonna, youre gonna have to stay in custody, because of what you were arrested for. BK And are they going to end me out anywhere? JB Probably to Iqaluit. BK I didnt do it. What wrong did I do? I just tried to help. [7, emphasis added]

Moments later, the nurse-in-charge, Jennifer Davidson, returns to insert seven sutures in the accuseds wound. The following exchange was heard [JD refers to nurse Davidson]:
JD So you dont remember, could it have been a bite? BK No, its not a bite. [8] JD Its not a bite? BK Its not. JD Ok. Ok. That just changes things, thats why I asked, ok. BK Its not a bite, or nothing. I dont know what happened. [8]

After nurse Davidson comments on the deepness of the wound, there is this exchange:
JD So youre sure it wasnt a bite, right? BK No, its not a bite. I never got a bite. Nothing. [9]

The official transcript version of this reply by the accused reads:

BK No, its not a bite. I (inaudible) bite. (inaudible). [OT39]

At page 43 of the official transcript, the Crown asked Cst. Baines if he could fill in the inaudible portion of that last quote. This was his response:
MP So, Mr. Kayaitok says in our copy of the transcript No, its not a bite. I never got a bite, nothing. And so, just to be clear, whats your understanding of what he said at that time? JB No, its not a bite. We never fight. [OT43-44, emphasis added]