Vicious knife attack left victim with PTSD

A Brantford man who “just lost it” and stabbed another man at least 14 times in December 2021, narrowly avoided prison time despite the Crown pushing for four or five years in a penitentiary.

Daniel Joseph Cote, 28, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was sentenced in February for his early morning attack on a man at a Darling Street residence,

Justice Gethin Edward called the attack out of character for Cote, noting he was fueled by alcohol, drugs and a large amount of emotional distress for a man who had glowing letters of reference.

“It was not self-defense. He just lost it.”

Cote’s lawyer, Stephen Bernstein, noted the victim had mostly healed and was able to work again. He also indicated a previous conviction of Cote’s for sexual assault was likely fairly minor since it had been resolved with a suspended sentence

Cote had served 280 days in Maplehurst – counted as 14 months of pre-sentence custody – so Bernstein urged the judge to consider a term of house arrest so Cote could return to work.

But Edward said house arrest wouldn’t send a signal of deterrence to those who pick up butcher knives when angry.

“We’re fast becoming a society of house arrest and house arrest is not like real jail. There’s a significant difference,” said Edwards.

“Being sentenced to watching Dr. Phil or Oprah all day, despite how bad those shows are, is a lot different from being in a range at Maplehurst.”

Assistant Crown attorney Rana Thiara said Cote’s attack on the man did significant damage, puncturing a lung and severing his diaphragm.

“Those are serious injuries, your honor, and not things he’s recovered from. He lost $14,000 in wages, lost his apartment and his ability to live independently. He suffers from PTSD and is afraid to go out and socialize.”

Thiara said she disagreed that the attack was out of character for Cote.

“It seems quite in character, honestly.”

“I am sorry,” Cote said when he was invited to speak.

“I made a big mistake and I don’t plan on doing it again.”

Edward said he gave a great deal of credit for Cote’s guilty plea, which saved up to four days of trial time in a jurisdiction still struggling to work through a pandemic backlog.

The judge opted to sentence Cote to two years less one day, to keep him in the provincial jail system, less his 14 months of time served, plus three years of probation.

But last month, Cote was sentenced again, on charges that both pre-dated and post-dated the stabbing incident.

He pleaded guilty before Justice Kathleen Baker to a May 2020 sexual assault of a woman, a November 2021 breach of probation, and a mischief charge and assault of a different woman from April 2022.

Baker sentenced him to another eight months in jail.

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