Man sentenced for assault
A man who was stabbed during a fight with his brother has been sent to jail for assaulting another man only moments later.
Daniel Robert Conine pleaded guilty recently in Lethbridge provincial court to one count of assault and one count of mischief, and was sentenced to 90 days in custody.
Court was told three men were at a Coaldale residence last June when Conine became involved in a confrontation with his brother. The confrontation turned into a fight and conine was stabbed in the head and stomach.
Shortly after the incident Conine, who was visibly upset following the stabbing, struck the third man in the head and broke a book shelf, resulting in assault and mischief charges.
Lethbridge lawyer Vincent Guinan explained the brothers were romantically involved with the same woman while they were in and out of remand custody. The woman also has a child, Guinan added, but she doesn’t know which of the two men is the father.
In spite of the assault and issues facing the brothers, Guinan said there is hope they can reconcile their differences.
Crown Prosecutor Tom Brannen pointed out Conine, 37, has a criminal record several pages long, which includes convictions for break-ins, assault, forcible confinement and drug trafficking.
Hitting the other man doesn’t make any sense, Brannen said, but added Conine, given his record, can expect to be sent to jail from now on for any assault.
Guinan told court cognitive and mental acuity deficits have “plagued” Conine for most of his life, and he is currently supported by AISH, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped.
Guinan said Conine is remorseful for his actions, understands that if he continues to commit offences he will receive longer jail sentences.
“He hopes that he can change his life around.”
Although sentenced to three months in jail, Conine was given credit for the equivalent of 45 days he already spent in custody, leaving him with 15 days to serve. He will also be on probation for one year.
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