Manslaughter trial begins in 2022 killing at Herb Jamieson Centre

On a cold winter night two years ago, Thomas Gignac stumbled after using the washroom at the Herb Jamieson Centre. He fell, landing beside another man sleeping on a mat at the Downtown Edmonton homeless shelter.

A short time later, he was dead. On Monday, Stanley Jago began a manslaughter trial in Edmonton's Court of King's Bench for his role in Gignac's death.

Whether he is convicted will hinge in part on whether the punches and kicks Jago delivered to Gignac after he tripped triggered the seizure he suffered minutes later.

Gignac's death was one of several in or around the shelter in recent years, including the Jan. 2, 2023, shooting death of Shane Bakewell and the fatal stabbing of Keith Phillips on Oct. 1.

CAUSE OF DEATH KEY ISSUE

The Herb Jamieson Centre opened its new facility at 10014 105A Ave. in late 2021. The primary shelter for homeless men in Edmonton, it can sleep up to 400 people a night.

Jago, 33, and Gignac were sleeping on mats in the centre's detox room early on Jan. 3, 2022.

Gignac's sister, who attended court with her young son, described her 54-year-old brother as a caring man whose upbringing was “chaotic” and that he suffered a brain injury as a young man.

According to Crown prosecutor Aisling Ryan, Gignac struggled to fasten his pants after leaving the toilets.

He tripped and fell near Jago, who awoke to see Gignac's partially naked lower half.

Jago told Gignac to leave but Gignac “wouldn't or couldn't” do so fast enough, Ryan said, so Jago punched him in the head. When Gignac again failed to get up, Jago allegedly delivered more punches and kicks.

Eventually, Jago went to speak with a shelter employee. As he walked away, Gignac appeared to “seize” and slump onto the mat. He was later taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital and declared dead.

A security camera video showing the attack and its aftermath was played in court Monday. \

Ryan told Justice Anna Loparco, who is hearing the case without a jury, that the main issue at trial will be the cause of Gignac's death. The Crown expects to call several medical experts, including a neuropathologist.

Jago remains in custody and is represented by defence lawyer Alexander Brophy.

The trial is scheduled for 13 days.