A Salmon Arm man accused of assault, stabbing a woman and uttering threats has been found guilty on all three counts, but won’t face the consequences until sentencing in July.
On March 25, Mark Salai stood trial for the charges stemming from last July and August in two separate incidents with the victim, who was an acquaintance. Throughout most of the trial, which included three other witnesses in addition to himself, Salai sat with his eyes closed and, at one point, had to be shaken awake by the sheriff.
While on the stand when called by the Crown, Salai admitted to having hit the victim on July 28, but denied the to other two charges from Aug. 11.
The victim, who also testified as a witness, explained she had known Salai for a few years and “always found him to be a very interesting character” whom she had always liked and gotten along with. A few months prior to the incidents, however, he had accused her of stealing from him and became aggressive towards her.
In her account of the stabbing, the victim said it took place near near the Subway downtown after she had approached a group of people to talk to a friend, unaware Salai was there. She recalled what felt like a bee sting before he told her “that’s what if feels like to get stabbed.”
In his testimony, however, Salai claimed the only interaction he’d had with her that day was in the park behind the courthouse where he was with a group selling drugs. Yet when cross examined, he said he was not actually selling, but rather providing protection to those who were.
“I found this inconsistency not reliable or credible, and it did demonstrate that he was prepared to change his testimony,” Associate Chief Judge Paul Dohm said in his decision. Dohm also questioned Salai’s claim of being unable to have stabbed the victim with is right hand as stated because he can’t bend that arm due to a previous injury.
“If that is the case, it makes no sense that he would be the one providing protection...” Dohm said, while also questioning Salai’s claim that he doesn’t carry a knife or weapons.
“I did not find it believable, particularly of someone who apparently can’t bend his right arm, that’s all the more reason he would need to have a weapon... that’s another area where I did not find his testimony to be credible.”
As for the victim’s testimony, Dohm pointed out that she didn’t embellish it, tried her best to remember details but admitted when she couldn’t. He also pointed out she had no reason to lie, and said she had liked Salai prior to his aggression.
“There’s clearly no motive for her to fabricate,” he said, whereas Salai admitting to the first assault indicated he was angry with her and “clearly had a motive” in committing the second.
Dohm found Salai guilty on all three counts, with sentencing scheduled for July 8 at 9:30 a.m.
