APPEAL – Bentley challenges murder conviction

A man sentenced to spend at least the next 10 years in prison for the stabbing death of a Medicine Hat women is appealing his second-degree murder conviction.

Noah Bentley, 30, was convicted in the 2018 death of Brenda Woloski last winter in Court of Queen’s Bench in Medicine Hat and sentenced this month to a mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for another 10 years.

An appeal filed with the

Alberta Court of Appeal and dated Nov. 19 by Bentley asks that a panel of judges review the case.

He argues defence lawyers were not given adequate time to study the case, he should have been given a third psychological evaluation and the case did not proceed in a timely matter, or under 48 months.

Arrested on Nov. 12, 2016, he was sentenced on Nov. 6, 2020.

In Oct. 2019, the Medicine Hat man was found guilty of stabbing Woloski two dozen times in the head and upper body after the pair met in a local bar following a day of drinking.

At a sentencing hearing this month, defence lawyers stated that Bentley suffered from bipolar disorder and could become delusional and suicidal at times.

In the appeal, Bentley argues that he should have been found not criminally responsible for his actions and the presiding judge erred when he did not order a third psychological assessment before finding him guilty.

He seeks “any combination” of a conviction to the lesser crime of manslaughter, being found not criminally responsible, reduced sentence due to time served calculation, a retrial outside of Medicine Hat, or that a new assessment be ordered.

Appeals are examined by judges to determine merit, and can be dismissed outright, sent to further hearing, or relief provided.