Man convicted in warehouse killings
EDMONTON (CP) — A jury has found an Edmonton man guilty of first-degree murder for stabbing two co-workers to death in a bloody attack at a Loblaws grocery warehouse.
Jayme Pasieka, 32, was also convicted on four counts of attempted murder and four counts of aggravated assault in the attack three years ago.
Pasieka looked blankly ahead as the jury declared the 10 guilty verdicts in court.
Relatives of the victims hugged, cried and held hands. One woman whispered “yes” as she clenched her fist.
Loblaws’ employees, some wearing blue hoodies with the corporation’s logo, sat in quiet support of their colleagues who were killed or wounded in the stabbings.
Pasieka faces two automatic life sentences.
Crown prosecutor Kim Goddard said she will consider asking that Pasieka have no parole eligibility for 50 years.
“With a jury trial you never know what to expect, but I am sure the families are satisfied with the verdict,” she said outside court.
Much of the case focused on whether Pasieka, who has schizophrenia, was capable of planning the attack and intended to kill his co-workers. He testified in his own defence and said he had given up on life, was hearing voices in his head and hoped that if he stabbed people he would get the help he needed.
Defence lawyer Peter Royal said during closing arguments that Pasieka had severe schizophrenia and told police after the attack that he didn’t plan to kill and that he felt sad about what happened.
Goddard told the jury that Pasieka’s mental-health symptoms were mild and evidence showed he planned to end his own suffering by killing others.
Goddard said many people with the mental disorder seek help from family and physicians.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Pasieka did not take any of those steps.”