Family of slain Manitoba father tells court of devastating loss as accused avoids jail time

One of Ashley Colombe’s last memories of her father was him sizing her first hockey stick.

But Lionel Sherwin Colombe never got to skate with his girl, who’s now in minor hockey, or see her play.

Lionel was found stabbed to death Oct. 24, 2022, under a truck on Clyde Road in Winnipeg’s East Elmwood. He was 35.

In a victim impact statement read by her mother at the Winnipeg courthouse Wednesday, 13-year-old Ashley said she is devastated her father will never see her graduate or get married. Ashley sat beside her mother and looked at her the whole time while the statement was read.

Defendant Miles Nicholas Batenchuk, 26, from Berens River, Man., wiped tears from his eyes as he looked down and away.

The judge later told Batenchuk he took that emotion and expressions of shame into account when he sentenced him to two years of supervised probation — instead of any jail time — with conditions: counselling as directed; reporting to a probation officer; no alcohol or drugs; no weapons for five years (with the exception to hunting/trapping); and no contact with the other accused.

Two other men and a teenager were charged in Lionel’s death.

Desmond Paul Houle pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced in May 2024 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 12 years.

Nathan Michael Bruce, who was also charged with second-degree murder, is awaiting trial by jury next month.

The youth, who was 16 at the time and cannot be named, pled guilty to manslaughter and is awaiting sentencing later this month.

Defendant has IQ of 50, lawyer says

Batenchuk, who was first charged with second-degree murder but was on trial for the reduced charge of manslaughter, pled guilty to assault Wednesday morning.

His defence lawyer told the court his client, who was in Winnipeg for a party on the night of Lionel’s murder, did not participate in the stabbing that led to Lionel’s death and did not move the body from where he was assaulted to underneath the truck. Batenchuk struck Lionel once, the defence lawyer said, but was behind the group comprised of the other accused and threw up when the altercation escalated into a fatal stabbing.

The defence also told the court Batenchuk has an IQ of 50, putting him in the 0.04 percentile worldwide.

In his sentencing decision, the judge acknowledged the accused’s mild disability and his lack of prior criminal record. He said Batenchuk only punched the victim once and did not anticipate escalation.

Earlier in court, other members of Lionel’s family, who are from Cross Lake, Man., also read victim impact statements in court.

Daughter Navaya Colombe, 14, whose quiet voice was heard as a whisper through the gallery, said she’s still looking for answers. Navaya at one point spoke up louder to address Batenchuk directly, telling him she didn’t want an apology and that she would likely never be able to forgive him.

Cherished son and caring father

The girls’ mother, Cherlynne Muskego, described Lionel as a kind and respectful man who lived for his daughters and was protective of them. She said her daughters have become different people since losing their father – suffering from anxiety attacks and struggling in school. Muskego broke down at the memory of her girls asking if their father was scared when he died.

Lionel’s sister Makaela Colombe, who fought to read her statement through tears, told the court her brother was stolen from the family.

As the defendant looked down, Lionel’s mother Shirley Marlene Colombe called her boy a cherished son and caring father who was outgoing, hardworking and committed to his family and community. He loved music, played guitar, sang and danced.

Speaking loudly and slowly in the courtroom, Shirley said Lionel’s death has left the family with lasting wounds and has changed their lives forever. She said her husband passed away shortly after because of a broken heart, and that she’s drowning in grief.

Shirley hoped the sentencing of the defendant would send a message to society about the value placed on human life.

Batenchuk’s lawyer said his client looks back on the incident knowing he should have called the authorities, that he recognizes the horror of the events, and that he’s going to live with it for the rest of his life.

In his sentencing, the judge told Batenchuk he was hopeful he would never see him in court again, and wished him a good life.

Prior to court getting underway Wednesday, a verbal altercation between the families of the victim and defendant broke out in the hallway. Lionel’s family later left the court as the defence made its closing remarks; they returned for sentencing.