Does Xhevahir Myftari feel remorse for killing his sister-in-law?
That’s the question lawyers debated Monday at the 39-year-old’s sentencing hearing – and the question that may play a key role in determining what that sentence will be.
In August 2012, Myftari stabbed Julia Vlashi 19 times, causing her death.
Court heard that Myftari – who was living with Vlashi and her husband – was upset Vlashi wanted him to take more medication for his schizophrenic disorder.
Myftari pleaded not criminally responsible to the attack, but jurors ultimately found that he was not in a psychotic state at the time of the attack.
Monday, defence lawyer Charn Gill argued that a sentence of six to eight years in prison would be sufficient punishment for his client.
Even if schizophrenia wasn’t to blame for the attack, he said, it should factor into his sentence.
“You can’t just warehouse someone because they have a mental illness,” he told the court.
Crown prosecutor Judith MacDonald pointed to the surprise of the attack – which occurred as Vlashi was speaking with family members on Skype – as a reason for a harsher sentence, and suggested a 12-year term.
“She didn’t see it coming,” MacDonald said.
“He caused her terror before she died as she fought for her life.”
A sentence will be handed down later this month.
