Parents of Sault stabbing victim speak of heartbreak, trauma

A Sault Ste. Marie fatal stabbing case was back in court on Thursday, more than 5 1/2 years after the incident took place.

Montana Lewis was found guilty in February of manslaughter in the 2020 stabbing death of Samuel Graham Jr., who was 19 years old when he was killed.

At a hearing June 11, the court heard that 47 victim impact statements were filed from family members and friends of the deceased, with 26 read aloud in court.

‘Our house will never be the same’

Graham’s parents spoke of the heartbreak they have endured, and about being retraumatized by repeated court visits, which they said were more than 45 since their son’s death in November 2020.

“Our house will never be the same,” said his mother, Brigette.

“(I) don’t recognize myself, a shell of a woman who used to be happy ... To the court it’s just another murder case. To me, it’s one of my reasons for living.”

“From the beginning, Sam carried a bright light ... not just a son, he was my best friend,” said his father, Sam Sr.

“We are our son’s voice because he no longer has one … We look at the justice system as a complete failure -- it did not protect us.”

The court case will continue Friday morning, with submissions from the Crown and defence, as well as remarks from Montanna Lewis.