Man gets five years in prison for killing in Edmonton homeless shelter

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Stanley Jago's outbursts have become notorious in Edmonton courts.

During his trial for the manslaughter of a man in a homeless shelter, Jago threatened court participants, told onlookers – including the victim's sister – that he did not do it, and even struck two sheriffs.

But on Friday, Jago sat quietly as the judge read his verdict.

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Judge Anna Loparco of the Court of King's Bench sentenced Jago to five years in prison and expressed the hope that time behind bars and probation would lead to Jago receiving help for his undiagnosed mental illness.

“You are young,” she told Jago, 33. “You can change your life and I am confident you will make wise decisions.”

Jago was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of Thomas Gignac, whom Jago had attacked while staying at the Hope Mission. Herb Jamieson Animal Shelter in January 2022.

The two were among 50 men who slept on mats in the center's sobering-up room, where there was no direct supervision other than a few surveillance cameras.

Gignac, who was drunk and in poor health, used the toilet and stumbled as he returned to his mat. Jago awoke to find Gignac nearby with his trousers down.

Jago believed he was being mocked or “taken for a ride” by other residents and yelled at Gignac to leave. Gignac tried to back away while pulling up his pants, but he didn't move fast enough and Jago kicked and punched him repeatedly in the head.

When the beatings didn't help Gignac, Jago attacked again. Gignac suffered a fatal seizure. When he stopped moving, Jago appeared distressed and went to look for help. Shelter staff arrived about ten minutes later, followed by medical staff about 15 minutes later.

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Loparco pointed out how long it took for Gignac to get help, but he did not blame “Hope Mission.”

Jago “obviously did not intend or expect” that his attack would kill Gignac, but he was still “reckless” about whether he caused him serious injury, Loparco said. She gave him credit for staying at the scene and getting help, but noted that he still attacked Gignac twice, even though he had time to cool down.

Violence is “common” in emergency shelters and Jago had a “bLoparco added that he had had “an experience of a sexual nature” during a previous stay. The room where the assault took place was small and offered little privacy, so it's easy to imagine why someone in Jago's situation would be nervous.

Loparco's top priority in sentencing Jago was to ensure he received treatment for the paranoia, psychosis and delusions he had displayed in court. Jago has also committed self-animation before and was on probation for an indecent act at the time of Gignac's murder, she said.

Jago was judged during pre-trial detention, but a psychiatrist could not commit to a concrete diagnosis.

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Ensuring Jago receives treatment is “key to protecting society long-term,” Loparco said. Prosecutors asked for 5 1/2 years in prison, while defense attorney Alexander Brophy asked for four years, which would have allowed Jago to be released after serving time. Loparco said additional prison time was needed so Jago could begin treatment in a safe environment.

Jago has been in prison since the attack and has been given the usual 1 1/2 days for each day he spent in custody. This means he has just under a year left to serve.

Jago will then have to serve a two-year suspended sentence, which includes residence, registration and treatment requirements.

Finally, Loparco expressed his condolences to Gignac’s sister, who had listened to the hearing via video conference.

“I hope your pain will subside with time,” the judge said.

Manslaughter carries the most severe penalties in the criminal code. There is no minimum sentence unless a firearm is used, and the maximum sentence is life imprisonment.

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