Third suspect pleads guilty in Field Street murder case

THUNDER BAY – A third suspect has entered a guilty plea in a Field Street homicide case that happened nearly two years ago.

Larissa Shingabis on Tuesday pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon in connection to the July 2014 death of 44-year-old Lloyd Oskineegish.

Justice Bruce Fitzpatrick accepted a joint sentencing submission from Crown prosecutor David MacKenzie and defence lawyer Aaron Seib, resulting in a two years and one month sentence that is offset by credit for time already served.

According to the agreed statement of facts, a group of at least 10 people were consuming alcohol in a wooded area near Field Street on the night of July 18, 2014.

Oskineegish passed out and other members of the group began referring to him as a sexual predator.

Shingabis then picked up an empty bottle and struck the victim over the head, then poked him in the arm with the bottle.

Witness testimony provided during a preliminary hearing indicated there was no evidence Shingabis participated in the fatal beating and returned to attempt to extinguish the fire after the victim’s body was set ablaze by another member of the group.

“Cleary the matter is tragic. A person was killed. In my view, however, Ms. Shingabis’ participation in the event was marginal and indirect,” Fitzpatrick wrote in court documents.

Shingabis was arrested on July 30, 2014 and was held in custody until Jan. 8, 2016 when she received bail.

She is also subjected to a 10-year weapons prohibition and must submit a DNA sample.