A 37-year-old Sandy Lake man was sentenced to 38 months in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of his cousin in January.

Elizier Kakegamic pled guilty in June and was sentenced in Kenora court Wednesday for a fatal attack with a crowbar.

Kakegamic had already served close to seven and a half months in pre-sentence custody and was given credit for a total of close to 15 months served.

He will serve his sentence in the provincial system, where inmates can apply for release after having served one-third of their time and can be entitled to a reduction after two-thirds of their served, depending on the case.

As part of his rehabilitation, Kakegamic will undergo treatment for alcohol addiction and serve three years probation after his release.

While he pled guilty at the first opportunity and accepted responsibility for his actions, Justice Donald Fraser took into account the defendant’s previous record for violent crime, which was linked to problems with anger management and alcohol.

“We do appreciate the significance of the loss suffered by the community,” Fraser said.

“This is a restorative sentence, to the extent it can be,” he added.

At his first hearing, Kakegamic’s aunt, who cared for him when his parents died, forgave him.

“I love my nephew and I forgive what he did to his cousin,” she said. “I know he didn’t mean to do that.”

The victim’s father said he didn’t want the case to go on and on. He said once is enough and he’ll never see his son again.

“We want him to know we love him, forgive him and we are praying for him,” said his cousin Denise in June, with tears streaming down her face.

Fraser noted there have been many “stupid, senseless deaths” in the community during the court’s 20-year association with the First Nation. He also took into account the forgiveness offered by the victim’s family to Kakegamic.

The sentence was based on a joint submission from both defence and Crown attorneys.

In his statement to the court, as well as the community members watching by video link, Kakegamic expressed his remorse and regret.

“I’m truly sorry I’ve cut short your father’s life,” he said to the sons of the victim, as part of a prepared statement.

He added he’d lived long enough to become a villain, rather than a hero and was now living with the consequences, which included the loss of his family.

The court heard the defendant became angry after the victim, John Kakegamic, had apparently thrown out the caregiver for a paralyzed dependent the night before, while intoxicated.