Sentence for woman who pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Christmas Day in Saskatoon

A judge will decide next month how long a 20-year-old Saskatoon woman will spend in prison after she pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson in provincial court.

Vianna Moberly admitted in June to stabbing 20-year-old Tyla Whitebird to death near the city's landfill on Christmas Day 2023. She also pleaded guilty to an unrelated arson charge.

On Wednesday, prosecutor Aaron Martens argued for a total sentence of 15 years, while defense attorney Ian Wagner suggested 12 years.

Martens said the two women knew each other and were both at the Saskatoon Tribal Council's emergency centre in the Fairhaven neighbourhood on Christmas Day. They went out together that day and Moberly later returned alone.

A cyclist discovered Whitehead's body on Malouf Road near the landfill.

Police arrested Moberly on December 27. She admitted to repeatedly stabbing Whitehead in the back because she was “being annoying,” the court heard, then threw the weapon into a manhole cover.

Martens described the attack as a “near-murder” marked by Moberly's impulsiveness. He said Moberly suffers from a number of mental health issues that are exacerbated by alcohol and methamphetamine use.

Wagner described Moberly as “so young and so scarred.” She has no criminal record and immediately took responsibility for the fatal attack.

“She never shirked her responsibilities,” he said.

When asked to speak, she said: “I regret everything I have done. I am sorry.”

Judge Stephen Carter will announce his decision next month.