Man guilty of attempting to murder his wife
A Humboldt man who repeatedly kicked his wife in the head “soccer-style” and then stabbed her up to 40 times has been found guilty of attempted murder.
Brandon Carelse had previously admitted to aggravated assault against his wife, Elvircia, on April 7, 2011. On Monday, Justice Richard Danyliuk found him guilty of the more serious charge of attempted murder.
Carelse did not comment as he was led away from court by RCMP. Elvircia, who sat in the gallery just behind Carelse in the prisoner’s box as Danyliuk read the verdict, said she was relieved.
“Finally, my story has been told,” she said in a brief interview.
“To hear my kids say they can be happy now, that’s a big thing.”
Carelse will remain in custody until court hears sentencing submissions in Court of Queen’s Bench on Dec. 19.
Crown prosecutor Paul Goldstein said he will be requesting a “very long sentence.” The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“Twenty-seven to 40 stab wounds speak for themselves,” Goldstein said outside court.
Court heard Monday that Carelse punched and kicked his wife “soccer-style” repeatedly in a bedroom of their Humboldt home. A witness called 911 and could be heard begging Carelse to stop.
Carelse then went to the kitchen and obtained a knife. He returned and stabbed his wife repeatedly in the neck and torso.
“The accused could have retreated entirely. … He chose to take a knife from the kitchen and return,” Danyliuk said.
Danyliuk ruled Carelse may not have intended from the start to kill his wife, but returning with the knife showed clear intent. The location of the wounds was also a factor in the decision, Danyliuk said.
“The court finds beyond a reasonable doubt the accused formed the intent to kill the complainant,” Danyliuk said.
Following the attack, Carelse walked into the basement of the home. He was found by police apparently attempting to hang himself. Elvircia was taken to hospital, where it took staff 90 minutes to stem the bleeding and other life-threatening complications caused by one of her neck wounds. She has been left with diminished kidney function and other problems, court heard.
Carelse admitted to the attack, but said he did not intend to kill his wife. Danyliuk said his testimony was flawed and not credible.
“The court does not believe him,” Danyliuk said.