Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador — A local man expressed deep regret for his violent actions during a recent sentencing hearing in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Evan Long, 34, was convicted of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose following a jury trial earlier this year.
Appearing before the court on June 2, Long sought to convey his remorse as he faced the consequences of his actions stemming from an attack that occurred in March 2023. He told the court he hopes to move forward with his life after the turmoil of the past years.
The charges against Long arose from a brutal encounter with a 57-year-old man outside an apartment on Beothuck Crescent. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Long had used both a knife and an axe in the assault. The victim, whose identity remains protected under a publication ban, testified that Long had been harassing him prior to the incident, which suggests a troubled history between the two men.
Defense attorney Courtney Mills argued during the trial that it was the victim, rather than Long, who had engaged in harassing behavior. She characterized the victim’s conduct as “predatory,” suggesting that it was the ongoing harassment that pushed Long to his breaking point. Despite this defense, the Crown argued that the assault was both severe and premeditated.
Crown attorney Darby Ashton stated that he would be seeking a prison sentence of five to six years for Long, emphasizing the seriousness of the attack. Ashton pointed out that the victim had placed a letter in Long’s mailbox earlier in the day, indicating that Long had traveled specifically to confront him later. Communications between Long and his sister further suggested that he was intent on the confrontation.
Ashton also highlighted the life-threatening nature of the attack, noting that the inflicted wounds were concentrated in the neck and shoulder area, posing a significant risk to the victim’s safety. Long’s prior criminal record, which includes an assault conviction, raised additional concerns regarding the potential for reoffense.
In response, Mills contended that the Crown’s proposed sentence was excessively harsh. She argued for a reduction in the sentence to a range of two to three years, citing the context of Long’s actions as being provoked by ongoing harassment. Mills further noted Long’s Indigenous background, advocating for a focus on rehabilitation rather than purely punitive measures.
Justice George Murphy is set to announce the sentence on August 22, at which point any time Long has already spent in custody—over 517 days—will be credited toward his sentence. Until then, Long remains free under specific conditions.