Manitoba Law Courts

Today the journalism students went to the Law Courts to find a hot scoop. We met up with Mike McIntyre for a little lesson of what to expect, what to do, and some leads on story ideas. I really enjoyed being there and stayed until 3:00 when I needed to get back to school and type up my article. I am excited to go back and think I will get to for more Law Courts assignments. Hopefully one day I will be a reporter and will have to go there to pursue stories. 


What crossed my mind:
1. This is not a hot scoop. This is a lukewarm scoop at best.
2. Being at the Law Courts is exciting. I know what I'm doing on my days off. 
3. Really, you waved around a machete and you aren't getting a criminal record?
4. Thanks guy sitting behind me for causing a scene because you had your feet up on the seat. You make Erica and myself laugh. Really breaks up the day.
5. I am hungry. I am going to get a foot-long sub at Subway.
6. I am never going to finish this foot-long sub.
7. I really wish I could stay longer and figure out what this one case was. Sat in there till they went on break and never find out what he did. Looked super interesting though.

I think I said 'scoop' a lot today, but here is the scoop I got. 

“I’m Going To Cut Your Head Off”

Winnipeg man threatens bar staff with machete

Twenty-four-year-old Drilan Alimehaj was sentenced to an eighteen-month conditional discharge with supervised probation after he waved a machete around outside a Winnipeg bar uttering death threats.

Alimehaj was at the Thirsty Lion Tavern, located at 525 Dale Boulevard on Nov. 14, 2010 celebrating his cousin’s 18th birthday when he got into an altercation with Scott Douglas, an off-duty staff member, resulting in him being kicked out.

Alimehaj left the bar yelling, “You’re making a mistake, you don’t know who I know.”

After being ejected from the Charleswood bar by Douglas at 1:30 a.m., Alimehaj left and came back in a white pickup truck five minutes later with a machete and a dagger.

Court heard Alimehaj screamed at Douglas, “I’m going to cut your head off,” while waving the two-foot blade.

Alimehaj then left and police were contacted shortly after, who say that Alimehaj appeared to be intoxicated and noted he was unsteady on his feet, and had bloodshot eyes.

Alimehaj pleaded guilty Monday in provincial court to uttering threats and the possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose but justified his possession of the machete by saying he worked as a landscaper.

“The nature of the weapon used was quite serious. A conviction should be a result,” said Crown attorney Marciniak.

Defence attorney Virk said that Alimehaj has a unique circumstance since he has no prior criminal record and has only one kidney so he can’t drink a lot of alcohol. Virk added that Alimehaj wants to finish his Grade 12 education to pursue a career as a firefighter and can’t do that with a criminal record.

Judge Lemaistre stressed that rehabilitation is important and in Alimehaj’s circumstance, decided that imposing a discharge was not contrary to public interest.

“Even though there was no intention to follow through with the threat, you were waving a machete and uttering threats. The potential for harm was there, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt,” said Judge Lemaistre.

The conditions of the sentence are Alimehaj can have no contact with the complainant, is prohibited on the premises of 525 Dale Boulevard, must abstain from the consumption of alcohol, report for counseling, and is prohibited to be in possession of weapons. The forfeiture of the machete and dagger was ordered, and Alimehaj was fined $104.00.

If Alimehaj complies to these conditions, he will not receive a criminal record and can become a firefighter.

Asked if he had anything to add, Alimehaj told Judge Lemaistre, “It’ll never happen again.”