Lethbridge Courthouse. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Big Sorrel Horse sentenced on manslaughter charge

Mar 4, 2020 | 10:46 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – An expected trial this week in Lethbridge did not go as planned, but resulted in a guilty plea and conviction.

Stanley Big Sorrel Horse did not show up for the start of his trial on Monday, March 2. An arrest warrant was then issued for him.

Crown Prosecutor Michael Fox told LNN that Big Sorrel Horse’s father turned him into Lethbridge Police Monday evening, where he was held for the night.

The 26-year-old returned to the courthouse Tuesday morning and pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter.

He was responsible for the death of 26-year-old Rance Bear Hat on February 23, 2018.

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There was an altercation at a party in Standoff where the victim was being assaulted. Big Sorrel Horse was one of the people carrying out the assault.

Although Bear Hat ultimately died of a stab wound, it is not clear whether that was done by Big Sorrel Horse.

Big Sorrel Horse left the party but later came back.

After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to three years in prison. He was given credit for just over two years of time already served, so Big Sorrel Horse will spend another 303 days behind bars.

He will have to submit a DNA sample to police and has a lifetime firearms prohibition.