Sean Stuart Keseypopamotoa, 24, died of a stab wound September 21st, 2008. He also went by the last name of Auger.
Auger was Edmonton's twenty-first homicide victim of the year.
Ralph Eugene Pike, 32, was charged with second-degree murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Sean Stuart Auger |
another other side of the story
and a response
preliminary hearing |
trial |
verdict
The early morning of Sunday, September 21st, 2008 had Edmonton police and their homicide detectives scrambling to cover two murders that took place within twenty-five minutes of each other, the scenes being half the city apart.
Police were first called to Whitemud Drive at 170th Street after reports of shots fired came in at about 2:20. A grey Infiniti G35 was found idling eastbound at a set of lights at 170th Street and Whitemud Drive. 30-year-old Arfan Ul Haq was found dead behind the steering wheel, bullet holes marking the side of his car indicating that at least nine shots had been fired.
Police were then called to the Old Strathcona district at about the same time area bars were shutting down, close to 2:45 a.m.
Officers quickly gathered around a grey Mustang bearing the vanity license plate "OWLEYES" after it was pulled over after travelling southbound on the northbound Gateway Boulevard, just north of 81st Avenue.
After questioning the car's occupants, police learned one of them had been stabbed. The victim, a 24-year-old male, was taken by paramedics to hospital where he later died.
Homicide detectives came and went, but a heavy police presence remained until mid-day with Gateway Boulevard and adjacent alleys blocked off – see images »
Details later emerged that a fight had taken place between three men driving in the Mustang and two men and a woman on foot that they didn't know. The car was driving down an alley toward Gateway Boulevard when the encounter took place.
"They exchanged some words," a police spokesman explained, and the three men in the Mustang got out of the vehicle. One man was then stabbed.
The stabbed man's two friends helped him back into the car. They drove off, turning the wrong way onto Gateway Boulevard, where they were quickly pulled over by a patrol car.
Meanwhile, the two men and the woman who fled the scene were soon caught. A blue-handled knife, which police didn't confirm was used in the stabbing, was found close by.
“Because our officers were there quickly, our officers were able to make an arrest within moments, literally within minutes of that particular incident taking place,” the spokesman said. Witnesses to the stabbing assisted police in locating the fleeing trio.
A man was taken into custody, with investigators saying homicide charges were being contemplated. Police said the incident did not appear to be gang or drug-related.
A day later, on September 22nd, police charged Ralph Eugene Pike, 32, with second-degree murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
That same day Pike made a brief court appearance and was remanded into custody.
Sean Stuart Auger
Relatives of the city's twenty-first homicide victim of 2008 were first to identify the man in an interview conducted with Canwest's Edmonton Journal and Global Edmonton TV – read more »
24-year-old Sean Stuart Auger had been stabbed twice in the stomach after reacting to a racist remark, according to those he was with when he died.
"This guy called them 'dirty Indians' and Sean stood up to him; that's why he got stabbed," Diana Blackman said.
Referring to herself as Auger's "stepmom," even though the two were not related, the woman described the man as fair-skinned and someone who "doesn't look aboriginal."
"He's very kind and very proud, a very proud person. He wanted to work hard and try to provide for his new family," she said.
Auger and Blackman, along with family and friends, had spent the day at a barbeque and finished off the evening at Blue's on Whyte Avenue for drinks. They left the club at about 2:30 a.m., splitting up into two vehicles.
After Blackman had dropped off some friends she tried calling Auger on his cellphone. Someone else answered.
"He told me, 'You have to come to the police station – something's happened to Sean,' " Blackman said.
Arriving at the station, she was told Auger and her son and another man had just gotten into their and were leaving a parking lot when they were approached by two men and a woman. First came a "tapping" on the hood of the car, then came "racist remarks."
Auger got out of the car to confront them. "He wasn't going to take that kind of talk," Blackman said.
A knife was produced and Auger was stabbed twice in the stomach, she said.
Friends managed to get the man back into the car. In their rush to get him help, they turned the wrong way onto Gateway Boulevard. A police car immediately pulled them over. Auger was taken to hospital, where he died.
In an eerie parallel to the story of Dylan McGillis, also murdered along Whyte Avenue, Sean Auger was looking forward to becoming a father.
McGillis, also a new father and also in town to look for work, was stabbed November 19th, 2006. His murder remains unsolved.
The day before he died, Auger and his girlfriend Shilo Martineau made preparations for their new family.
"Him and his girlfiend just bought a crib on Friday. They were preparing for the arrival of their baby ... the baby's due in November," Blackman said.
Aguer had arrived back in Edmonton in July, returning from Abbotsford, British Columbia. He had hoped to cash in on the local construction boom, earning some quick money to start help his family.
Raised by relatives, Auger hardly knew his biological parents, Blackman said. She and Auger first met when she was in a relationship with one of his uncles.
What should have been a life-long bond was cut all too short by a blade in a back alley.
"Overwhelming to see someone you love and realise that they're not there anymore," Blackman reflected.
On September 23rd, an autopsy report confirmed that 24-year-old Sean Stuart Keseypopamotoa (who also went by the last name of Auger) died as the result of a stab wound.
A Facebook tribute, RIP Sean Auger, was posted in his honour.
Another other side of the story
While Auger's family grieved, anguish was also felt by those who were witness to his stabbing. According to one, there was more to it than a simple, one-sided confrontation – it was an act of self-defence – read more »
An email was sent to the Last Link from "the woman" who was with Ralph Pike and another man, the trio who came across Auger and the two men in the Mustang.
Identified as "April," the mother of several children did not want to be identified as she fears retaliation.
The email is reproduced below as it was received. The statement may contain allegations that have not been proven in court.
Ralph Pike is my fiance. I was "the woman" involved in the horrible tragedy that happened, and I saw everything that happened leading up to the stabbing. I was whisked away before that happened as things were getting out of control..and the truth needs to be spoken. THis is what happened.
Three of us went out on saturday night for my birthday. When we left, i had stopped in a driveway waiting for my friend, who had just gotten a light off of a guy wearing a white shirt that said SNITCH on it. Wish I could find him, because he was close enough to see...The car was coming up the alley and accelerated from 40 feet away and i thought it was going to hit me, the guys called me a few names, which ralph did not hear, as he was walking ahead of me.
They asked our friend for a light. he told them to fuck off...and they got out of the car and jumped our friend. Ralph turned around and saw this, and, being the peacemaker he is, jumped in to help get the guys off of them. there was a big scuffle, and then it stopped. we all agreed that it was over, and they were about to get back in the car when the driver started freaking out again and shoved me, told me to shut my fucking mouth, and went after ralph.
Our friend hauled me out of there because i was about to start throwing punches myself...i guess when he pulled me away, the guys (4 of them) knocked ralph to the ground, punching and kicking him. he tried to get up, twice... and when he did, he pulled out a knife.
I have to stress, he only pulled it out and waved it at them, and told them to back off cuz he was leaving. HE WAS SURROUNDED AND THEY WERE GOING TO BEAT HIM TO DEATH. he turned to walk away and someone grabbed his arm and spun him back around, and he doesn't know if he was pushed or stumbled or what, but he fell into one of the guys. We walked away. I did not know what happened..until we were arrested.
Sean Auger died at hospital. I cannot even begin to stress how devastated Ralph and I are over this. He had no intention of hurting anyone, never mind killing someone... Please , let this story be known.
Send our deepest, deepest sympathies to Sean's family, this was not supposed to happen.
In a follow-up email, April said she wanted clear up mistaken reports about where the two groups first encountered each other.
"A few papers have said that we were walking down the alley, which is not true. We were on the sidewalk. Right on Gateway," she wrote.
The woman has been asked by people why Ralph had a knife that night (she didn't know he had it with him).
"Protection, right?" April wrote. "It doesn't mean they are out to stab someone. It means that they can defend themselves in a situation that they don't think they're going to get out of."
Ralph and April and the children had moved to Edmonton in May from Nova Scotia. Ralph found a high-paying job outside of Ft. McMurray, working a ten-days-on four-days-off rotation.
In two weeks Ralph was going to buy an engagement ring. The couple was "truly happy and things were fantastic."
April now carries the burden of convincing Ralph to take her to Whyte Avenue for her birthday celebration. "I will carry that guilt with me for the rest of my life," she said.
"What if I was the one surrounded? It could have happened, except for my friend who dragged me out of that situation."
April also said she feels for Auger's family.
"An unborn child is without its father, that man will never get to experience the joy I get to feel every time I look at my children.
"His girlfriend will not get to share the birth of their baby with him, she will have to look at that child and know that he will miss out on so much ... all because of us."
Now, as her fiance sits in the Edmonton Remand Centre, April's children are waiting for Ralph to come home. She can't even begin to tell them that it may not happen for a long time.
"He never meant to hurt anyone," April told the Journal. "He feels terrible; so do I."
For the record, Ralph's great grandmother was a Micmac Indian and April is also of First Nations descent.
A response
Subsequent to the the above version of events, the Last Link received an email from a person identifying herself as Katrina Martineau – read more »
The email is reproduced below as it was received. The statement may contain allegations that have not been proven in court.
I knew Sean Keseypopamotoa-Auger. Not very well, because on Sunday September 21, 2008 a man stabbed Sean “twice,” in his stomache, killing him.
Sean had just moved to Edmonton, from Abbotsford. I was really excited to first meet him, he was going to be the father of my soon to be born nephew.
Shilo had met Sean in Abbotsford while living there with our mom. There is where she met Sean's mom, Angela, while working in Abby. When Angela introduced Shilo to her son Sean, they have been together since.
They were both very excited to be parents. Sean would tell Shilo, “I want to buy us a house we can raise our baby in.” He only wanted the best for his new family.
He was a good guy. He is not one to start something, especially one so violent. I don't believe he was one to cause anything. But I do believe he is one to stand his guard to put a stop to something.
I have read the article this girl “April” had written on her side of the story. And I have repeatedly gone over what she has said about her fiancé, how he is a “peacemaker.”
I have never met a peacemaker who carries around a weapon and uses it. What is this girl talking about? At least now she knows her fiancés true colors.
They say that it was an accident. When Sean was stabbed twice? EXCUSE ME, but Tell me how do you accidently stab someone twice??? AND WALK AWAY FROM IT!!!? Are you mentally retarded? Like seriously. You're telling everyone, you all casually WALKED away? Like nobody was scared about what they just did?
If Ralph had no intention on hurting anyone or killing anyone, then why was he carrying a knife on him and using it? If he never had any intention on hurting anyone, then why didn't he think about buying pepper spray or something ALOT less harmful? I cannot stress this enough. You do not carry weapons unless you have thought about the outcome or damage it might do.
This week has been really hard for Sean's family and my sister (Sean's girlfriend) myself and many others. He was so young and excited to be a dad. It is hard to believe he is gone and his son will never meet his father. He was a loving and caring boyfriend and would have been the same as a dad. he only wanted the best for them. He will forever be in our hearts and with his son, Sean Jr.
On May 12th, 2009 the Last Link learned that autopsy results indicated Sean Stuart Auger died of a single stab wound – contrary to earlier reports that the man suffered two stab wounds.
According to the medical examiner, it was a "lucky shot" that caused Auger to bleed out so quickly.
Preliminary hearing
Ralph Pike's preliminary hearing took place over a three-day period beginning June 2nd, 2009.
Preliminary hearings are held to determine whether there is enough evidence for a case to proceed to a full trial.
Defence lawyer Robert Shaigec argued that the charge against Pike be downgraded to manslaughter as alcohol may have played a factor in the incident.
Auger's blood-alcohol content was twice the legal limit permitted for driving, the coroner found.
At a pre-trial conference held in December 2008, the Crown offered Shaigec a deal for his client – 6 to 8 years for a guilty plea to manslaughter. Pike instructed his lawyer to instead proceed to trial.
The offer surprised courtroom observers, coming as early and away from trial as it did.
On June 4th a judge made the determination that the case warranted a trial. A date was set for November 30th, 2009. The hearing was scheduled to run four days.
Pike remained in custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre.
Trial
The second-degree murder trial of Ralph Pike in connection with the death of Sean Auger began on November 30th, 2009 before a jury in Court of Queen's Bench.
At the heart of the case was the question of intent and which party was the aggressor.
Taking the stand in his defence, Pike said he pulled out a knife near a Whyte Avenue alleyway because he was scared he would get seriously injured.
Court heard Pike, his fiancee and a friend encountered Auger and two other men after leaving an area bar. Words were exchanged.
Pike said Auger and another man then started beating on his friend.
When he wanted to step in to quell the attack, Pike found himself restrained by a friend of Auger's.
That fight lasted less than a minute ... but a subsequent fight took only seconds to decide.
Pike testified he saw Auger and the other man turn toward him. A struggle ensued, and Pike managed to break free.
"I produced the knife and I held it up so that everyone could see it," he said.
"I just wanted them to back off ... I figured they would seriously hurt me."
The fighting seemed to be over. But as Pike was walking away, Auger grabbed his arm. There was another struggle. The two wrestled for the knife.
It was at that moment, Pike said, that the two "came together" while he was holding the knife. Auger suffered a stab wound to the stomach.
Auger's friends stuffed him into a Mustang to seek medical treatment. Instead they caught the attention of police when they went the wrong way down Gateway Boulevard. Auger died after being rushed to hospital.
According to the medical examiner, it was a "lucky shot" that caused him to bleed out so quickly.
On the stand, Pike admitted the knife he was carrying, a switchblade, was illegal.
Waiting patiently outside the courtroom was April, Ralph's fiancee. She had flown to Edmonton from Nova Scotia after defence lawyer Robert Shaigec thought she would be needed as a witness.
The couple had moved to the Alberta capital in 2008 to take advantage of the province's prosperity. But with Ralph in jail, times got tough and April had to take her children back east.
Verdict
Closing arguments were heard in the trial and the jury was given their instructions.
After seven hours of deliberation, Ralph Pike was found not guilty of second-degree murder in death of Sean Auger.
The jury also found Pike not guilty of the lesser and included offence of manslaughter.
However, Pike was found guilty of possession of a prohibited weapon.
The possession conviction earned him a fifteen-month sentence, but the judge decided the time had already been served due to Pike's incarceration of nearly the same length of time at the Edmonton Remand Centre since the September 2008 death.
Jailhouse math suggested Pike was owed some time as judges usually offer two-for-one credit for time served inside the Remand due to conditions at the over-crowded facility.
Outside court, defence lawyer Robert Shaigec spoke of his client's reaction to the acquittal.
"He was overcome with emotion after the verdict and expressed considerable relief," Shaigec said, adding Pike had always been keenly aware that a person had died in the Whyte Avenue incident.
The verdict indicated the jury sided with Pike's claim of self-defence.
April did not get to see Ralph during the trial. His defence lawyer thought Ralph had done a good enough job on the stand and wouldn't need supporting witnesses.
With money being tight, and Legal Aid barely covering costs, April flew back home before the trial ended.
Now a free man, Ralph is pounding the streets looking for work to scrape up plane fare back to Nova Scotia.
April reports that marriage is still in the works and that she can't wait "to wrap my arms around him again."
Crown prosecutor Lisa Tchir announced she doesn't intend to appeal the decision.
The two separate homicides on September 21st, 2008 seemed to continue a statistical tradition surrounding that month in Edmonton – read more »
On September 2nd, 2007 Farhan Hassan, 27, and Kasim Mohamed, 28, were shot dead outside the Fulton Place Community Hall, one of two double murders that year.
A year earlier, three people were murdered on a single day in separate incidents. On September 9th, 2006 Cody Aaron Bull, 28, was stabbed at 12:30 a.m. at 10211 156 Street.
Two hours later John Albert Buckniak, 21, was stabbed near 40th Street and Hermitage Road. Shortly before the day ended, popular bikini model Lily Tran aka Lily Duong, 23, was shot in her car near 76th Avenue and Argyll Road.
All the information presented on this page has been compiled primarily from published media reports and should not be interpreted as having legal bearing or other prejudice against individuals named on this web site.
The Last Link on the Left practices fair presentation and the disclosure of relevant interests.
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