A La Ronge man accused of attempted murder faced his accuser in a Prince Albert court Monday.
Elias Ballantyne, 44, pleaded not guilty to five counts, including aggravated assault, uttering threats and attempted murder. He is on trial for allegedly stabbing John McKenzie during an altercation in La Ronge last March.
McKenzie told the court that he still has scars from nine stab wounds he sustained that night, pulling up his shirt to show Justice L.W. Zuk. He said he spent three days in a coma.
The 52-year-old victim did not remember the night well. He said he’d just returned home from a birthday party when he heard banging on his doors.
“I opened the door and there was Elias standing there,” he said. “The next thing I remember was struggling.”
McKenzie didn’t recall the stabbing itself, but said he remembered waking up on the floor, covered in blood.
For more on this story, please read the Feb. 28 print or e-edition of the Prince Albert Daily Herald.
