By Regan Tate and Leah Murray

Jessie Dyck pleads guilty to Manslaughter

May 15, 2018 | 10:45 AM

MEDICINE HAT – A man charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of his girlfriend has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Jessie Dyck appeared in court in Medicine Hat, Tuesday morning and entered the plea. His trial on the charge was scheduled to begin Monday, but was set over until today as a resolution was expected.

He was sentenced to 21 months in jail, but with credit for time served, will spend about 19.5 months behind bars.

Dyck was charged after Tanya Campbell-Losier was found severely injured in her home in Brooks in February of 2016. She was rushed to hospital in Calgary but died two days later.

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According to an agreed statement of facts, Campbell-Losier and Dyck had been drinking on the night of February 19th. They had become intoxicated and began to argue. Campbell-Losier called the RCMP during the argument.

Mounties arrived and Campbell-Losier was taken to stay with her mom in Brooks for the night. Despite being advised by police and her mother to stay, she returned to the mobile home she and Dyck shared.

When she arrived, she found he had thrown her belongings out of the house. She entered the property where Dyck was sleeping on the couch. Campbell-Losier then punched him in the eye and the pair got into a physical confrontation.

At one point Dyck shoved Campbell-Losier trying to get her to leave. She fell backwards and smashed her head on the floor.

The impact cause a traumatic brain injury. While 911 was called shortly after, Campbell-Losier died of her injuries in a Calgary hospital on February 21st, her family was able to donate some of her organs.

Members of her family read victim impact statements in court addressing the pain they’re still feeling over their loss.

“The worst pain a human could ever ever experience is to lose their child,” Tanya’s mom Lorraine Campbell said outside of court. “I just miss her. I miss her with every fibre of my heart and soul.”

Dyck hung his head and cried as his lawyer read a statement expressing remorse.

“What my client wishes everyone to understand,” his lawyer David Chow explained outside of court. “Is that despite the fact there is terrible loss as a result of this to him and his family – he’s of course going to spend time in custody, it pales in comparison to the loss for miss Campbell-Losier and the loss that her family has suffered.”

Dyck was released on bail back in March of 2016 and has been living with family in Saskatchewan. He was taken back into custody following the sentencing.

When he is released from jail he will have to serve three years of probation. Dyck will face several conditions and restrictions. He will not be allowed to consume alcohol or drugs, he must attend addiction counselling and take courses on the prevention of domestic violence.