Significant inconsistencies in the testimony of a man involved in a stabbing contributed to his conviction on an aggravated assault charge on Wednesday.
Kafi Ali Tutu, 33, of the Calgary area will be sentenced on Dec. 13 after he was convicted following a three-day trial in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench.
Tutu, who remains in custody, was also convicted by Justice Kirk Sisson of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.
Tutu, who also faces domestic violence charges in Okotoks, will first have a pre-sentence report prepared.
Crown prosecutor Jason Snider told court he will seek a “fairly significant jail sentence” for Tutu, who stabbed Samuel Lomong, 33, of Red Deer on Feb. 19, 2009.
Lomong, who is also in custody on six separate charges involving possession of a weapon and threats, suffered a serious stab to his left cheek, which chipped a tooth, and another wound to his left rib area.
Lomong suffered major blood loss during the attack, which occurred in a strip mall parking lot at 6200 67A St. at about 7 p.m.
“There were far too many inconsistencies” in Tutu’s statement to RCMP a few days after the stabbing and in his testimony at trial, Sisson said.
The judge said Tutu, who displayed no emotion at the verdict, testified that Lomong swung a knife at him, narrowly missing his throat and that this was never mentioned to police.
Sisson also said Tutu didn’t tell police that the two fought on the ground nor that Lomong held onto his sleeve.
Sisson said although he had reservations about some of Lomong’s testimony, he found it consistent.
“Even given its frailties, I accept his evidence,” Sisson said of Lomong.
Tutu was released earlier this year on bail but re-arrested and detained on the domestic violence charges.
Defence lawyer Rod MacGregor argued that Tutu acted in self defence and was justified in using his own knife to ward off Lomong.
Tutu testified on Tuesday that he intended to talk to Lomong but had a knife pulled on him.
“He swung at me first,” Tutu said.
The two Sudanese immigrants had known each other for about 15 years but their friendship soured when Tutu said he wouldn’t allow Lomong to sell drugs from his apartment nor provide him with a reference to his landlord.
Lomong, who denied he had a knife, described Tutu’s knife in much better detail than the vague description given by Tutu of Lomong’s knife, the judge said.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com