After 6 days of testimony, a Saskatoon jury has found Alvin Naistus guilty of second-degree murder in stabbing death of Billy Johnston
Bre McAdam, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Court exhibit photo of the parking lot at the Northwoods Inn motel in Saskatoon where 44-year-old Billy Johnston was involved in an altercation before he was fatally stabbed just beyond the corner of the building on April 18, 2015.	Court exhibit photos / Saskatoon
A Saskatoon jury has found Alvin Patrick Junior Naistus guilty of second-degree murder in connection to the stabbing death of 44-year-old Billy Johnston.
Through its verdict, which came down Thursday night at Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench, the jury determined that Naistus fatally stabbed Johnston with the intent to kill him, and that it was not done in self-defence.
Around 6:30 a.m. on April 18, 2015, Naistus and Johnston faced-off in the parking lot of the Northwoods Inn on Idylwyld Drive after leaving a motel room party. Witnesses testified they were both holding some type of bladed weapon and yelling as they postured back and forth.
A cellphone video taken by a woman at the motel shows Naistus lunge at Johnston, who then falls to the ground. The jury heard that Johnston died from a stab wound to the heart.
The defence argued Naistus was acting in self-defence when he stabbed Johnston, who was high on hydromorphone and meth that morning. The woman who took the video testified she sometimes used drugs with the victim and that he was known to be aggressive when he was high.
If Naistus had walked away, he would have been the one lying dead on the ground, defence lawyer Patrick McDougall told the jury.
Alvin Patrick Junior Naistus (left) is on trial for the second-degree murder of Billy Johnston. Saskatoon
The Crown argued Naistus had the intention required for murder because he chased Johnston down and stabbed him in the most vulnerable part of his body. No evidence presented at the trial suggested Johnston injured Naistus before the stabbing.
The jury was given three verdict options: not guilty, not guilty of second-degree murder but guilty of manslaughter, or guilty of second-degree murder.
The minimum sentence for second-degree murder is life in prison with no parole for at least 10 years. However, a judge can choose a parole eligibility of anywhere between 10 and 25 years.
Justice Neil Gabrielson asked the jury for sentencing suggestions. After a brief break, 11 jurors came back with no opinion, while one juror suggested Naistus serve 15 years before he is eligible for parole.
Sentencing submissions on parole eligibility from the Crown and defence will be made on Monday. Until then, Naistus will remain remanded in custody.
"I'm appealing this," he told his weeping supporters.
Johnston's family members quietly cried out and hugged after the verdict was read. Shannon Kowtiuk, Johnston's sister, said she's happy that justice was served, describing her brother as a "gentle giant" from Ontario who came to Saskatoon for work and had been struggling with some issues.
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Self-defence argued at Alvin Naistus murder trial in Saskatoon
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