Court says 15-year-old British Columbia stabbing victim has been sentenced to life in prison

A 19-year-old has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault that left a 15-year-old man serving life in prison after a knife attack on May 26.

Ezekial Ezekial Okumu entered the plea on Oct. 16 before Judge Reginald Harris, who ordered pre-sentence reports for the next phase of the trial.

Crown prosecutor Adrienne Lee said the victim was stabbed once in the upper body. She said he suffered catastrophic injuries.

“He will never leave long-term care,” she said. “He will need care forever.”

The victim, whose name is protected by a publication ban, will only be able to communicate through gestures for the rest of her life, she said.

Okumu made his first appearance for the charges on June 7 and was arraigned on October 16.

“I plead guilty,” Okumu told Harris.

The Crown is asking for five to seven years in prison, while defense attorney Trevor Martin said he would seek a sentence of three to three-and-a-half years.

“This is not a random, unexplained attack,” Martin said, without elaborating.

Okumu agreed that his juvenile record will become part of the adult process. Lee said he has a history of violent behavior.

When the Crown requested a pre-sentence report with a psychological component, Harris asked Martin whether Okumu’s autism would be taken into account in the sentencing.

“No, I don’t think so,” Martin said.

The defense objected to the psychological component.

The case will go back to court on October 24 to confirm the sentencing date.