Thread: Immigrant by way of Miami commits assault in Canada

Man receives another day in jail for downtown stabbing

Posted By Bob Vaillancourt
Posted 1 hour ago

Peter Espinosa's attempt to gain landed immigrant status in Canada may be in jeopardy after he was convicted Thursday in Sudbury court of assault with a weapon.

Espinosa used a seven-inch steak knife in a fight with another person in Memorial Park on July 24, court was told.

Assistant Crown attorney Leonard Kim said the victim called police at 10:22 p.m. that day to report she had been stabbed in the right arm.

When police arrived at the park, located across the street from their headquarters, she used her left arm to point to her assailant. Espinosa was arrested. He has been in jail since.

The knife was found in a backpack he was carrying.

Lawyer Craig Fleming said Espinosa is originally from Venezuela where he was a sergeant in the army and where "it is apparently customary to carry knives."

Espinosa came to Canada by way of Miami hoping to find a better life, said Fleming. He is waiting for the government to make a decision on his application for permanent status.

Fleming said both his client and the victim were drinking and got into an argument. Espinosa was kneed, the victim was knifed.

The victim was taken to hospital where she was treated and released. The wound was minor, said Fleming. "They gave her a Band Aid and sent her home."

The context of this assault should be put in perspective, Kim argued.

The victim is a 39-year-old female, while the accused is a 20-year-old former military sergeant.

"This was obviously not a level playing field," he said.

Ontario Court Justice William Fitzgerald gave Espinosa one more day in jail, in addition to the 66 he had already spent in custody on the charge.

However, the judge declined to put Espinosa on probation.

The Crown had asked for a lengthy probation term for Espinosa, saying that would provide him with help he needs in learning to adjust to his life in Canada.

But having Espinosa report to a probation officer may be academic, Fitzgerald said, once immigration authorities hear about his conviction for a weapons charge.

"I am sure immigration is going to have a close look at that," he said.
Article ID# 711833

http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDi ... illancourt

At least illegals are consistent. They aren't grateful when in the US or in Canada.

Don't send this guy back to the US. All we need is another illegal alien criminal.

It looks like Canada is going to get a taste of what America has been going through for years.

I'm impressed. It really didn't take him long to get down to business now did it?

I didn't think it would take long for the crime to start up there by the illegals.

Well glad to see they didn't waste anytime attacking women while waiting on govt handouts. Canadians better act quick.

Well glad to see they didn't waste anytime attacking women while waiting on govt handouts. Canadians better act quick

You got that right, Mike.