Nazi court to decide whether Cape Breton man was killed by stabbing, strangulation – or both

WARNING: This story contains graphic content.

Two people from Cape Breton have admitted manslaughter in the death of Stephen Rose nearly five years ago, but a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge must decide whether Rose died by strangulation, stabbing or both before either of them can be convicted .

Jessica Anne MacDonald and Joseph Evong originally stood trial on first-degree murder charges after Rose was killed in November 2019.

He was found covered in blood and with a belt around his neck in a Sydney apartment, according to court testimony.

According to a coroner’s report, Rose was stabbed 147 times.

The details were subject to a publication ban, but after MacDonald and Evong pleaded guilty to manslaughter, the case is now coming to light.

According to witness statements, all three had been drinking heavily and Rose and Evong had begun fighting with knives.

The defendants each admitted to having committed a knife attack

MacDonald said she tried to stop them and admitted stabbing Rose once in the neck.

However, according to the autopsy report, he had 17 wounds in the neck and 52 in the back just below the neck.

Evong also admitted to stabbing Rose once in the liver, which the coroner said was not a fatal wound.

The autopsy report said any of the 17 neck wounds would have been fatal, and the bruises on the belt and neck suggested strangulation was also a cause of death.

But Evong’s attorney disputes the strangulation finding and other facts.

Judge Joshua Arnold must rule on the police and coroner’s evidence before Evong can be sentenced in December.

MacDonald’s sentencing next week

Arnold heard some of that testimony at a pre-sentence hearing for Evong in Sydney last week and opted for a virtual hearing because of victim impact statements that angered some of Rose’s family members.

His decision is not expected to have any impact on MacDonald’s case.

Their verdict is due to be announced next week when an agreed statement of facts is presented to the court.