Warning: This story contains details some readers may find disturbing
THUNDER BAY — One of the two accused in the brutally violent beating death of 31-year-old Christopher Meeseetawageesic that was filmed with a cellphone and shared with others has been sentenced to 14 years in custody.
Kenneth Moonias, 32, of Neskantaga First Nation, appeared before Justice Bruce Fitzpatrick in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Monday for sentencing.
Moonias was originally charged with second-degree murder in connection to the 2020 death of Meeseetawageesic but in November 2022 he pleaded guilty to the lesser included charge of manslaughter.
Natalie Moonias, who is cousins with Kenneth Moonias, was also charged and she has since pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to nine years in custody.
The charges relate to a violent attack on Meeseetawageesic the evening of Aug. 28, 2020 in an industrial area near Main Street.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Kenneth Moonias repeatedly stomped on Meeseetawageesic’s head with his foot while Natalie Moonias filmed the attack on her cell phone.
Meeseetawagesic’s body was found two days later behind a trailer in the area with a cinder block left on his chest. A post-mortem examination determined he suffered 14 blunt force trauma injuries to his head and neck.
An investigation by the Thunder Bay Police Service found that the video of the attack was shown to others and Kenneth and Natalie Moonias were identified as suspects after several witnesses were interviewed.
During the sentencing hearing on Monday, members of Meeseetawageesic’s family shared emotional victim impact statements with the court, attempting to express how his loss has affected everyone in his life.
“It is very difficult and very challenging to be writing this today,” said Meeseetawageesic’s mother, Flora Moonias. “He was a father, son, grandson, brother, uncle, and a friend to many that knew him. Christopher loved his family and his family loved him.”
Flora Moonias added that she could not believe the news that her son had been killed and she was filled with anger after learning the two responsible were from her community of Neskantaga First Nation.
“When I see you sitting across from me all I see is a murderer who took my son’s life away from me and my family,” she said. “Losing a child is very difficult to accept. The grief and the hurt never goes away.”
Meeseetawageesic’s sister, Roberta Meeseetawageesic, said the day her brother died her life changed forever.
“All I want to know is why. Why did you take him?” she said in court. “My brother didn’t deserve this. He was a human being.”
Crown attorney Stephanie Baker called for a sentence of 14 years, citing the numerous aggravating factors involved in the attack on Meeseetawageesic.
“The victim was stomped to death and the assault continued after he was gasping for air. We all saw that in the video,” she said. “Natalie said: ‘he’s still breathing’ and Kenneth comes down with another kick to the head. This was a deliberate, brutal, and extremely violent act.”
Baker also cited Moonias’ past criminal record that included convictions for charges also involving violence.
Defense counsel Kevin Matthews was seeking a 12-year custodial sentence, acknowledging the aggravating factors cited by the Crown, but also highlighting challenges Moonias faced growing up.
According to a Gladue and pre-sentence report, Moonias has struggled with substance abuse issued since he was a teenager. He has also been diagnosed with several conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Matthews added that Moonias was intoxicated at the time of the attack on Meeseetawageesic and has no memory of the assault.
“I wish I had more for the family. What makes this tragedy even more of a tragedy, is there is no why. We are not going to get a why,” Matthews said. “The fact of the matter is, he does not have a recollection of what occurred, he does not have a recollection of why.”
When given the opportunity to speak, Moonias said he needs to work on himself and he hopes one day Meeseetawageesic’s family will forgive him.
“The only thing I can say is I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s up to you if you want to forgive me or not but I am sorry. I will do my time.”
Fitzpatrick began his reasons for sentence by saying that he heard many people asking the question of why.
“It’s impossible to answer that question with many words,” he said. “I don’t think many words written down in a judgment will answer the question adequately. People have to process this in their own way.”
Fitzpatrick said the two significant aggravating factors taken into consideration include the violent nature of the attack and the impact Meeseetawageesic’s death has had on his family.
“Clearly the family is having a difficult time understanding why,” he said. “They are experiencing ongoing hurt, anger, pain, grief.”
But Fitzpatrick also referenced Moonias’ personal challenges and expressions of remorse for his actions.
“Ken’s displacement from his community and the personal loss he has endured are tragic,” he said. “Ken is owning up to the very bad decisions he made that day. He apologized and asked for forgiveness today. I believe he did so in a real and heartfelt way.”
Ultimately, Fitzpatrick agreed with the Crown’s submission of a 14-year sentence.
“A 14-year sentence is a significant sentence, yet it is just in my view,” he said. “It is proportionate to the gravity of the heinous crime that was committed here.”
Moonias was credited with 956 real days of pre-sentence custody, enhanced to 1,434 days, leaving him approximately 10 years left to serve.
Moonias will also be required to submit a DNA sample, is subject to a life time weapons prohibition with exceptions for traditional subsistence hunting, and is to have no communication with members of Meeseetawageesic’s family while in custody.
