Randy Greg Potskin has been found guilty of manslaughter in the 2017 stabbing of Chantelle Hole near Smith after a judge determined that his claim of a home invasion was "illogical" and lacked corroboration.
About 30 people were in the courtroom as Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Robert Graesser read his almost two-hour ruling in Edmonton June 24.
Graesser said he believed Potskin had attempted to destroy evidence and then made up a home invasion story, which the judge called "incredulous" and "seriously flawed."
"The story, in my view, is a fabrication," Graesser said, adding later that “it lacks any corroboration.”
"To put it another way — there is no air of reality to this version of events," he stated later in the reading.
FEATURE: Tenacious, outspoken, honest, strong — family and friends speak about Chantelle Hole
Court heard that on April 28, 2017, Chantelle Hole, Potskin and another man were at the Potskin residence, where her body was later found. The man was there to see about a plumbing problem, and left the residence. Court heard that during the witness' testimony, he stated Potskin had been more intoxicated than Chantelle Hole at that point.
Graesser pointed out that the next morning, Potskin sent a series of text messages to family members and friends and was seen driving to and from a store in Island Lake.
Court heard that Potskin's mother drove to the residence and walked in. She found Chantelle Hole's body, and called police. RCMP found Chantelle Hole's remains inside the residence; she had been stabbed 15 times and had lost two upper teeth, which RCMP found outside.
Graesser said Potskin was driven to the police station in St. Albert later that afternoon. The judge noted the driver stated in his testimony that on the way there, Potskin threw guns, garbage and a bloody pillowcase holding Chantelle Hole's keys out of the vehicle.
Graesser noted Potskin had said to friends, family and police there had a home invasion, and he had been let go after being tied up with zip ties and beaten.
"None of this makes any sense," Graesser said of Potskin's story, adding it was "illogical" that home invaders would carry zip ties with them, and kill Chantelle Hole then release their other captive.
RCMP arrested Potskin June 2, 2017, charging him with second-degree murder. During the closing statements May 2, both Crown and defense counsel said he had been living with Chantelle Hole and had been in a relationship with her.
Graesser said in his ruling although the stabbings were vicious, they may well have been during the heat of the moment in a "rapidly escalating situation," impacted by the level of Mr. Potskin's intoxication and in the nature of a "drunken frenzy."
"In the end, I have a reasonable doubt as to whether Mr. Potskin intended to kill Ms. Hole or cause her bodily harm that was her likely cause of death," Graesser said. "The only inferences that I can safely draw from the evidence is that there was a terrible fight for some unknown reason; Ms. Hole was stabbed numerous times; she was hit, and when she tried to flee in her car she was stabbed in the neck."
A Gladue report has been ordered, and court will reconvene July 5 for discussion regarding sentencing date.
The Advocate will have more on this story in the July 2 edition of the newspaper.
