CANADA: House arrest for man, 88, who killed his wife, 85

EDMONTON (Edmonton Journal), February 20, 2008: An 88-year-old man suffering from dementia was sentenced today for killing his wife of 56 years. Joao Almeida pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was given a conditional sentence of two years with three years of probation. "I think time will take care of it anyway," Judge Peter Caffaro said as the defence lawyer and Crown prosecutor argued over details of the house arrest for Almeida. Evangelina Almeida, 85, was found dead on September 15, 2006, lying on the kitchen floor of her home. According to an agreed statement of facts, Almeida originally told paramedics that he pushed his wife and she fell to the floor. Through further interviews it came out that he and Evangelina had an argument over who would change his urostomy bag. An urostomy is a surgical procedure that detours or diverts urine away from a diseased or defective bladder. An autopsy report showed Evangelina was hit several times and then strangled. "It could have taken place within a matter of moments," said defence lawyer Brian Beresh, calling the whole situation a terrible tragedy. No family members had ever seen violence between the couple, he added. "Mr. Almeida has lived an honest and hard-working life," said Crown prosecutor Dave Hill. "His inability to regulate emotion and his impulsivity comes with the dementia process, making him a moderate risk for further violence." Almeida said nothing throughout the hearing. A Portuguese translator sat beside him and nearly a dozen family members filled the benches behind. As the hearing concluded, he slowly got up, put on his hat, leaned on his cane, and shuffled out. By Elise Stolte © Edmonton Journal 2008