The Oliver man who stabbed his younger brother to death outside a residence near Oliver in 2011 has plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
RCMP responded to a 9-1-1 call around 3:30 p.m. locating Reece Dillenger Louie laying outside a residence on Black Sage Road. He was suffering from a serious stab wound and bleeding heavily as officers assisted him until paramedics arrived. Later that day he was taken to Kelowna General Hospital where he died.
RCMP arrested Kyle Louie a few hours later and charged him with second degree murder. He was alleged to have been trying to leave the area in a vehicle. Mounties searched for the weapon used in the stabbing, but it was called off due to weather.
Crown spokesperson Neil Mackenzie said the guilty plea to manslaughter was entered during an appearance at Supreme Court in Vancouver on Monday.
Mackenzie said he didn’t want to speculate on what position the Crown will take with sentencing but did offer insight on the differences between a manslaughter and murder conviction.
“A person convicted of murder, there is an automatic sentence to life in prison,” said McKenzie.
“What period of parole eligibility a person may have can vary. In the case of second degree it is from 10 years up to 25 and first degree is automatic life with no parole for 25 years. With manslaughter there is a maximum sentence of life in prison but no minimum,” said Mackenzie.
“Manslaughter cases can really vary greatly depending on the specifics on the case.”
Mackenzie said he could not comment if Crown is expecting an argument from defence about time Kyle has already spent behind bars and if extended credit would be sought. Kyle has been in jail since the Feb. 19, 2011.
Mackenzie said generally that would be dealt with at the time submissions are heard at sentencing.
The next appearance for the 25-year-old is on May 7 to fix a date for sentencing.