Ameha is escorted from Court of King's Bench by multiple Deputy Sheriffs. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Sask. Pen stabbing case hits snag

Oct 8, 2025 | 3:00 PM

Less than three hours after a trial started, a man alleged responsible for a violent incident at Saskatchewan Penitentiary dismissed his lawyer and forced proceedings to come to a sudden halt.

In relation to the events that occurred on the afternoon of Sept. 20, 2022, Milkel Ameha stands charged with aggravated assault.

The stabbing occurred in the prison’s maximum security unit and, according to testimony provided by two police officers, there were blood stains found on the floor near the phone booth in the common room area and on a wall in the I range cell area.

The victim was transported to Victoria Hospital and refused to cooperate when investigators asked if they could take pictures and talk to him about what happened. While the extent of the injuries was not disclosed, one of the officers said he observed blood spatter on the victim’s chest.

Among the evidence collected from the scene were two handmade weapons (shanks) — one believed to belong to the accused and the other to the victim.

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

12 Best Tips to Spend Less at Christmas

Nov 18, 2025

Cybercrime response

Prince Albert Police Service 'limited in scope' to properly investigate fraud crimes

Nov 17, 2025

Following testimony from the officers, the next scheduled witness was to be the victim who was transported to Prince Albert from a correctional institution in Ontario.

However defence lawyer Patrick McDougall first asked for a short recess to prepare and was observed speaking with Ameha. During that discussion, which appeared to involve legal strategy, Ameha became visibly upset and proceeded to call McDougall (expletive) stupid before firing him.

When Justice Natasha Crooks returned she was then informed by McDougall he was withdrawing, and been subjected to verbal abuse by Ameha. In her reply, Crooks stated her desire to keep the trial running.

“There have been witnesses subpoenaed and produced from other parts of the country. There are a number of witnesses here ready to testify. The Crown is ready to go with their case and so if that’s the step he chooses to take at this point in time, then he runs the risk that he may not get another lawyer appointed through Legal Aid,” she explained.

After another short adjournment, Justice Crooks signalled her hope not to declare a mistrial and instead simply continue from where they left off. It’s now up to Ameha to find himself a new lawyer and he will notify the court of his intentions during a conference call on Nov. 5.

Should the trial resume, transcripts from the officers’ testimony will be used.

“As far as I’m concerned this is a trial still in the process,” Crooks said.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell