Verdict passed for knife murder of Leduc student

Three years after the fatal knife attack on a Leduc high school student, the man convicted of murder was sentenced to life imprisonment with ineligibility for parole for the next 12 years, minus time already served, by the Wetaskiwin Court of King's Bench on September 5, 2024.

On March 15, 2021, 17-year-old Jennifer Louise Winkler was stabbed multiple times by a classmate while sitting at her desk during a break in social studies class at Christ the King High School.

Dylan Pountney, who was 19 at the time of the crime, was convicted of first-degree murder on July 26, 2024.

The court established a timeline of events based on surveillance footage of the school's hallways and eyewitness accounts from the teacher and three students.

According to court documents, Pountney's grandmother noticed that he seemed rested when she dropped him off at school the morning of the stabbing and that she did not notice anything unusual about his behavior.

He had attended class and talked to the teacher about the weather during the break.

Within a total of nine seconds, Poutney ran into the classroom, stabbed Winkler several times in the left shoulder and left arm, ran back out and threw a knife on the floor next to the door as he fled.

At the time of the stabbing, there were between six and ten students in the classroom.

Two of the students said they heard Pountney shout “Answer” or “Give me an answer” while stabbing the victim.

Two teachers called 911 and about 16 minutes later, paramedics arrived at the school. The STARS rescue helicopter was called, but by the time it arrived, Winkler had died from massive blood loss.

A forensic pathologist testified that Winkler had been stabbed at least five times, with the most serious wound severing his vertebral artery.

The weapon found at the crime scene, whose blade had broken off at the handle, was a butcher's kitchen knife.

After fleeing the scene, Pountney was found hiding under a deck a short time later, arrested and charged with murder.

Comments Pountney made during a police interview were described as “bizarre” and “could indicate psychosis.”

According to Dr. Nesca, a forensic psychologist, Pountney was suffering from psychosis in the period before the stabbing attack on Winkler.

Nesca concluded that while there was no case of lack of criminal responsibility, Pountney was psychotic at the time of the murder and his police interview.

He further stated that at the time of psychological testing, Pountney showed signs of both exaggerating real symptoms and feigning symptoms, so he could not form an opinion as to the extent of psychosis at the time of the offence.

Nesca testified that he believed Pountney was aware of his surroundings and caused harm through his actions during the attack.

It was found that “delusional complaints” caused or exacerbated by mental illness may have been part of Pountney's motive for murder.

After considering all of the evidence, the Honorable Judge Eric F. Macklin concluded that the defendant had the intent necessary to commit murder.

“He intended to cause her death,” Macklin said in his written verdict. “Even if it could be said that he only intended to harm her, he would have known that the harm he caused by violently and repeatedly stabbing Ms. Winkler would likely cause her death.”

However, Macklin said the prosecution had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the murder was both planned and premeditated, and therefore found Pountney guilty of first-degree murder.

On September 5, the court received a total of 13 statements from the victims, 10 of which were read out to the court.

In the statements, Winkler was described as a beloved daughter, a beloved and cherished sister, and a devoted and valued friend, as well as kind and pure, respectful, understanding, honest and selfless.

The victim's father, Dale Winkler, told the court that his daughter's friends and family have been filled with grief since her death. He then allegedly threw a crumpled piece of paper at Pountney and left the courtroom.

Pountney was seen wiping tears from her face as the victims' statements were read out.

“Ms. Winkler was 17 years old, unsuspecting and defenseless,” Macklin said in his written verdict.

“She was a young woman with recognized talents and abilities, unlimited potential and the loving support of family and friends. Mr Pountney stated that he knew that Ms Winkler did not deserve to die and that he had taken the life of an innocent girl.

“Although no one has suffered as much as Ms. Winkler and her family and friends continue to suffer, those who witnessed the events in the classroom are also victims in the sense that they will never forget witnessing Mr. Pountney's egregious and violent behavior, the tragic consequences of his actions, and the death of a friend and classmate.”

Macklin considered Pountney's early admission of his crime and his expressions of remorse as important mitigating circumstances before passing sentence.

He also recommended that Pountney serve his sentence in a psychiatric center or mental institution.

Pountney had no previous convictions. His family described him as someone “who went from being a well-adjusted, friendly and happy child to a troubled soul” who struggled with mental health and addiction issues.

– With files from the Canadian Press