‘Senseless violence’: Man gets seven years for stabbing wife’s aunt to death

A Winnipeg man who fatally stabbed his wife’s aunt in the neck after she tried to calm a drug and alcohol-fuelled argument over $20 has been sent to prison for seven years.

Court of King’s Bench Justice Jeffrey Harris gave Dustin Swampy, 31, the sentence late last month for manslaughter in the May 2024 stabbing death of Rachel Muswagon, 37.

He had stood trial for second-degree murder but was instead convicted of the lesser offence.

“Mr. Swampy armed himself with a knife during a domestic dispute over $20 and used that knife against a defenceless victim who posed no risk of harm to Mr. Swampy,” wrote Harris in his sentencing decision.

“His children were present and witnesses to this senseless violence.”

Swampy left for work early on May 17th, 2024, while his wife, her mother and Muswagon hung out using drugs at the couple’s Sargent Avenue apartment.

Swampy returned in the late afternoon, with a box of pizza and a half-empty bottle of vodka, appearing drunk.

He began arguing with his wife over $20. The couple’s two young children were also in the home.

Muswagon came out of a bedroom to tell Swampy to back off, but he grabbed a knife from the kitchen and put it in his pocket.

Muswagon went and got $20 from the bedroom and gave it to Swampy to try to de-escalate the situation, but he argued with her before pulling the knife from his pocket and stabbing her.

Swampy and his wife took their children to a friend’s apartment on another floor while the woman’s mother applied pressure to Muswagon’s neck.

Swampy returned a short time later, called 911 and helped administer first aid until paramedics arrived, which Harris found to be a mitigating factor.

“There is no doubt that taking a life is a serious offence. No sentence nor remorse of Mr. Swampy can undo the harm and suffering that he has caused. His actions were likely fuelled by his intoxication,” wrote Harris.

“Mr. Swampy remained at the scene and provided aid to Rachel. In my view, this is significant.”

The judge found that the programming Swampy has taken while in jail awaiting trial suggests he has “reasonable prospects for rehabilitation,” despite the significant impacts of colonization on him and his family.

Swampy spent his youth in and out of foster care, has struggled with substance abuse issues and his family members went to residential school.

Swampy will also be barred from possessing weapons for 10 years and was ordered to provide a DNA sample to law enforcement officials.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca