Wife's murder at refugee gathering another 'horrific' example of partner violence, says Crown

A man who stabbed his wife to death at a gathering of fellow Rwandan refugees in Windsor should receive the heavier end of sentencing for his crime, according to the prosecutor.

On Friday, sentencing submissions were heard for Ramadhan Nizigiyimana, 33, who has pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder for the killing of his wife.

Assistant Crown attorney Jayme Lesperance said the incident was not only a "brutal murder," but also an "abhorrent femicide."

"This was a gross breach of trust of the marital bond," said Lesperance, noting that at the time of the crime, Nizigiyimana was already charged with domestic assault and uttering threats.

Nizigiyimana's bail conditions included no contact with his wife and no possession of weapons.

Lesperance pointed out that municipalities across Ontario — including in Windsor-Essex — have declared intimate partner violence an epidemic.

But Patricia Brown, Nizigiyimana's lawyer, emphasized her client's mental illness: Nizigiyimana has been diagnosed as schizophrenic.

"This is a tragedy," Brown told the court. "This is a domestic homicide."

Brown noted that her client has spent the vast majority of his custody at Waypoint, a psychiatric hospital, and has been prescribed multiple psychiatric medications — 11, at last count.

However, more than one of the psychiatric assessments of Nizigiyimana have concluded that he is "malingering" — exaggerating his symptoms for court purposes.

All assessments of Nizigiyimana have found him to be fit to stand trial.

"It doesn't take away from the fact that he suffers a serious mental disorder," Brown said.

Brown noted that she has had difficulty establishing communication with her client. Translators of the Kirundi language have been necessary for all court proceedings.

Brown said it was only recently, when she read to Nizigiyimana a victim impact statement written by his stepson, that he responded to a direct question about his emotions in the aftermath of the murder.

"For the first time, he said 'I feel very bad,'" Brown said. "I take that as a sign of remorse."

Nizigiyimana was silent throughout Friday's court proceedings, repeatedly standing up unprompted and rubbing his head.

When asked by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia if he wanted to say anything to her regarding the case, Nizigiyimana did not respond.

In 2020, Nizigiyimana, his wife, their young daughter, and his wife's son from a previous relationship arrived in Canada as refugees from Rwanda.

According to the agreed upon statement of facts, the fatal attack happened on Oct. 3, 2021. The city's small community of Rwandan refugees were having a gathering at a home in Windsor.

Nizigiyimana forced his way into the house, brandished a knife with a 10-inch blade, and immediately began stabbing his wife.

Another member of gathering was cut in the attack, but the injury was not serious.

Surrendered to police

Nizigiyimana surrendered to police without incident.

Lesperance pointed out the traumatic impact of the murder on all who witnessed it.

"This is a community and a family that will never repair," he said.

Justice Maria Carroccia has tentatively set Sept. 18 as the sentencing date.

Until then, Nizigiyimana will remain in custody at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.