Alberta domestic violence survivor devastated after attempted murder charge downgraded

WARNING: The photographs on this story could also be disturbing to some readers.

A home abuse survivor is talking out after an tried homicide cost was dropped and her ex-boyfriend charged with aggravated assault as a substitute.

Greater than two years in the past, Michelle Poulin was stabbed at the least 15 occasions by her ex-boyfriend at her house in Wainwright.

Poulin mentioned she is fortunate to be alive, and is struggling to beat emotional trauma after struggling years of emotional and bodily abuse.

“He got here there to kill me and I used to be simply fortunate sufficient to outlive,” Poulin mentioned.

Jodie Nylander was arrested and charged with tried homicide. These expenses have been later withdrawn and Nylander pleaded responsible to aggravated assault. He shall be on February 27 within the St. Paul Courtroom of King’s Bench for his sentencing.

The downgrade in expenses is devastating for Poulin.

“He waited there at 5:30 within the morning for me to open the door and stabbed me at the least 15 occasions. I do not perceive how that is not sufficient proof for tried homicide,” she mentioned.

“I used to be not failed by the justice system, it was the justice system that did it. I suppose I will discover out in sentencing to see what the decide does.”

Poulin is frightened about her household’s security as soon as Nylander is launched from jail. He could also be launched the day after his sentencing listening to.

International Information reached out to Crown prosecutor Jordan Kerr, who mentioned total that there are various components prosecutors should think about when contemplating whether or not to just accept a plea to a landlord or different offence, in as a substitute of continuing to trial on a extra severe offence.

One of many key concerns is whether or not, based mostly on all of the out there proof, there’s a affordable chance of conviction on the extra severe offence.

If there’s not an inexpensive chance of conviction on the extra severe offense, however there’s a affordable chance of conviction on a landlord or different offense, the matter could also be resolved on a plea to the owner or different offence.

It is little comfort for Poulin.

“I really feel cheated and I really feel like nobody goes to listen to what he did to me.”

“It is simply not truthful that a number of legal professionals can determine: “That is not what occurred, he simply got here to speak and it acquired out of hand,” mentioned Poulin.

“This wasn’t a bar struggle the place somebody acquired concerned and somebody died, that man drove six hours to kill me.”

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Issues concerning the impression of inflation on victims of home violence

Daughter Jaci Poulin, who’s 16 years previous, was house on the time of the assault and made the decision to 911. She helped preserve her mom alive and acquired an award from the hospital of St. John of Jerusalem Priory of Canada for her efforts to avoid wasting her mom. Jaci additionally struggles with the downgrade in expenses.

“It makes me marvel, did she must die for him to get the years he actually deserves? It should not value a life for issues to be taken critically,” mentioned Jaci.

“Folks will proceed to die if home violence is handled like this.”

Nylander has been in custody because the assault, however Poulin mentioned she nonetheless lives in concern.

“Proper now he is in jail, and it is at all times on my thoughts once I go exterior. Folks do not know what it is prefer to dwell in concern like that and listen to each little sound,” Poulin mentioned.

“It is horrible, I am not sleeping, I have never slept for 2 years. It is continually on my thoughts.”

Poulin mentioned she did not get to select her legal professional, and is annoyed that Nylander was capable of choose and alter his legal professional.

“I’ve to go along with the prosecutor. He’s speculated to act in my greatest curiosity and on my behalf and he has under no circumstances,” Poulin mentioned.

“Everybody ought to know (what occurred). If the justice system goes to fail me, everybody ought to know.”

On November 24, 2020, Poulin mentioned it was a daily morning for her. Whereas she was strolling her canines, Poulin mentioned her ex-boyfriend Jodie Nylander was ready exterior on her deck. She tried to shut the door, however he barged in.

Poulin mentioned Nylander lived up north on the time and must drive six hours to get to Wainwright, which is about 200 kilometers east of Edmonton.

“He pushed his approach in, and I simply stepped again … I did not need him to get to my daughter, so I simply stood there,” Poulin mentioned.

Poulin yelled for her daughter to name 911.

“He mentioned, ‘Oh, you are going to name the police, aren’t you?’ when he was opening the knife,” Poulin mentioned.

“That feeling, my coronary heart simply sank.”

“I did not assume I used to be going to get there, and he simply got here to me. Stabbed me first, twice within the aspect … after which I believe I fell to the bottom, and he was sort of on high of me … and he simply repeatedly stabbed me,” she mentioned.

Poulin was stabbed within the chest, shoulder, arms, head and face. She raised her arms to guard herself, however the assault didn’t cease and her arms have been badly broken.

“Then he simply instantly stopped and mentioned ‘I like you’.”

Poulin mentioned Nylander yelled for her daughter Jaci to name an ambulance, after which Nylander mentioned he was going to jail.

“I do not know if it was the adrenaline or what, however I acquired up and locked the door,” she mentioned.

Poulin hopes that by sharing her expertise, it is going to result in change in how home violence instances are dealt with.

Poulin, and her members of the family will learn sufferer impression statements in court docket on February 27.

“I need somebody to realize it was tried homicide, he got here there that night time to kill me.”

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