Stabbing earns woman one-year jail sentence

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on March 12, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

Stealing cash from a stranger during a violent confrontation has earned a Lethbridge woman a one-year jail sentence.

Glenda Day Chief, 32, was charged with robbery late last year after a man was stabbed during a fight in Galt Gardens on Nov. 2. The victim, who was taken to the hospital with a single, non-life-threatening puncture wound to his chest, told police he had been stabbed by an unknown female who, with two other individuals approached him in the downtown park.

The three demanded money they claimed had been stolen, then held the victim down while they took $50 from his pocket.

Witnesses told police that during the apparent fight, a woman, whom they could not identify, pulled out a knife. A security guard took a photo of the woman as she and the other two individuals left the area, and she was later identified as Day Chief and arrested. During a search police found her in possession of a knife.

Day Chief, who has a criminal record that includes convictions for violence-related offences, pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery. Although sentenced to a year in jail, she was given credit for slightly more than six months she spent in pre-disposition custody following her arrest. She must also submit a sample of her DNA for the National DNA Data Bank, and she is prohibited for life from possessing weapons.

Lethbridge lawyer Vincen Guinan described his client’s difficult upbringing, and pointed out Day Chief’s parents died under tragic circumstances when she was young, and she was “adopted out” and abused while growing up.

“Lately, her addiction on the streets has been very crippling,” Guinan said.

“I’ve known Miss Day Chief for a long time. When she’s not in trouble she’s a very nice person to speak to, and this is a very unfortunate situation where she’s taken responsibility for her actions.”