A local man was sentenced to 90 days in custody after assaulting his mother in their Kehewin home.
Billy Joe McCarthy stood before Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams on Tuesday, April 3 in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse. He had been arrested a few days prior, and was awaiting his first court appearance.
Since his arrest in late-March, McCarthy had remained in police custody, after officers were called to a Kehewin residence on March 29.
According to Crown prosecutor Jeff Rudiak, when Bonnyville RCMP arrived at the scene, McCarthy’s mother’s right eye and left-side of her face were swollen.
She told police her son had punched her and smashed her face against the wall.
Officers located McCarthy in his bedroom asleep.
Acting as duty counsel, Stephanie Oleksyn explained how McCarthy suffered from brain damage after being stabbed several years ago.
During the incident, he lost complete oxygen to his brain, and as a result, continues to struggle with a brain injury.
McCarthy said this is why he sometimes gets confused, but takes full responsibility for the incident with his mother.
Because of his prior criminal record, Williams accepted the joint-submission of a 90-day sentence.
With nine enhanced days behind him at the time of his sentencing, McCarthy faced 81 days at the Edmonton Remand Centre.
“I don’t mean to hurt anyone,” McCarthy said. “But sometimes I have issues with my brain.”
