Woman, 31, sentenced for killing sister after flirting incident

A Norway House woman has been sentenced to six years for stabbing her sister to death after catching her flirting with her partner.

Alicia Menow, 31, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the Jan. 13, 2023, killing of Karretta Linklater.

Menow has multiple cognitive and developmental disorders, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, that had a direct impact on her behaviour, Court of King’s Bench Justice Alain Huberdeau said in a newly released written ruling.

“The nature of the attack reflects impulsiveness, limited emotional regulation and failure to appreciate the consequences of her actions,” Huberdeau said.

Menow, her partner, Linklater and other family members were drinking at a Norway House apartment when Menow saw Linklater “flirting” with her partner and became angry, court was told.

Menow grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed Linklater in the abdomen, then punched her female partner, saying it was her fault.

Linklater was taken to hospital where she died a short time later.

Menow was arrested and told police she stabbed Linklater because she was jealous.

Menow has a family history of residential school involvement, experienced early exposure to domestic violence and substance abuse and spent several years in foster care.

Menow’s many cognitive and mental health diagnoses “are compounded by chronic substance abuse issues, social marginalization, and a long-term dysfunctional domestic relationship that appears to have contributed to the circumstances of the stabbing,” Huberdeau said.

Prosecutors argued Menow’s mental disorders did not greatly reduce her responsibility for the killing, alleging she did not respond so violently following another flirting incident two weeks earlier, which showed she was capable of exercising self-control.

Huberdeau disagreed, saying a doctor’s report confirmed Menow’s diagnoses predispose her to impulsivity and decision-making focused on immediate circumstances, not long-term consequences.

“When these diagnoses are considered together with her level of intoxication at the time, Gladue factors, and the overall context of the offence, they support a conclusion that her moral culpability is diminished,” Huberdeau said.

Since being taken into custody in 2023, Menow has accumulated a record of 72 misconduct incidents and has been convicted of assaulting another inmate.

“Although the frequency of incidents has declined, suggesting some recent improvement, her overall behaviour in custody continues to raise concerns,” Huberdeau said.

Menow received credit for time served, reducing her remaining custodial sentence to approximately 14 months. Huberdeau sentenced her to an additional two years of supervised probation.

“Such a sentence reflects her diminished moral culpability, provides additional time for her to access institutional resources and affords her (supports) the opportunity to properly develop and co-ordinate a successful reintegration plan,” Huberdeau said.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca