Woman who plead guilty to manslaughter of senior begins sentencing hearing

A sentencing hearing for a woman who pleaded guilty to killing a Winnipeg senior began Monday.

Melissa Joyce Gabriel pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of Dorothy Dykens, 89, in her home in St. Boniface in May of 2015.

Police said Gabriel entered Dykens’ home overnight and stabbed her multiple times, before returning home and attacking a dog.

The two lived on the same street, but court heard other than that, the two were largely unknown to each other.

The Crown is asking for 15 years minus time served, while the defence is asking for seven years.

The hearing will continue Monday afternoon.