Rocky Mountain House man sentenced to life for fatal domestic shooting

He was further sentenced to four year in prison for his conviction on unlawfully discharging a firearm with the intent to wound, maim, or disfigure during an assault on the victim’s sister that evening, his former common-law partner, Alexis Ames, then 29.

Stone’s four-year sentence is to be served concurrently with his life sentence for second-degree murder, with Justice Bast endorsing a request from defence lawyer Walter Raponi for Stone to be able to serve his time at the Bowden Institution. A Victim Crime Surcharge was waived by Justice Bast.

According to an Agreed Statement of Facts, court heard that Marshall Stone, Alexis Ames and Ashley Smith-Ames all lived together in a Rocky Mountain House townhouse in 2019, with three children ranging in age from 4 to 10-years-old at the time. The oldest child was Stone’s from a previous relationship, the middle child was one the couple had together, while the youngest was Ashley’s.

The statement indicated Stone consumed between six and eight beers throughout the afternoon and evening after stopping at a friend’s house after work that day.

He arrived home around 7 p.m. and got into an argument with Alexis. Ashley was not home at the time as she was picking up dinner for her son.

All three children were in the living room next to the kitchen watching T.V. when during the argument, Stone went to his downstairs bedroom to retrieve a rifle and ammunition, which he brought up to the kitchen where both sisters now were.

The court document says Stone then “pointed the rifle at Alexis, and Alexis deflected the rifle up toward the ceiling.”

Alexis then moved away from Stone toward the refrigerator as he fired a shot from the rifle, but Alexis was not hit.

Ashley and Alexis started screaming at Stone as he reloaded the rifle and pointed it at Alexis. It was at that point when Ashley stepped between them.

According to the statement, Stone fired the rifle at Ashley and struck her with a .22 calibre round to her face through her left eye. Ashley fell to her knees crying.

As the children ran out the back door of the home screaming for help, Alexis picked up a chair and hit Stone with it. She suffered a cut to the right side of her head during a brief struggle with Stone before running out the front door.

With Ashley still clinging to life, lying on the kitchen floor on her stomach, Stone fired the rifle one more time at the back of Ashley’s head, a shot that proved fatal.

According to the court document, Stone left the home before police arrived but after speaking to a friend, turned himself in to the Rocky Mountain House RCMP detachment shortly before 8 p.m.

An autopsy later determined the young mother of one may have been able to survive the first gunshot wound, but the second one to the back of her head was immediately fatal.

The Agreed Statement of Facts says Stone told officers he had little memory of the shooting.

According to a Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) Stone’s actions that evening were completely out of character and likely the result of his long-standing alcohol disorder.

The PSR notes, however, that Stone had no prior history of domestic violence, is remorseful, and takes full responsibility for the crime. The report also cites his strong work record and volunteer work with both police and firefighters, and highlights his good behaviour while in custody, including his abstinence from any drugs or alcohol.

The PSR identifies Stone as a good candidate for rehabilitation.

“I conclude that there is a low risk of Mr. Stone being dangerous in the future,” said Justice Bast during sentencing. “Based upon my review of the reports from those interviewed for the PSR, my review of the psychological assessment that was conducted of Mr. Stone and Mr. Stone’s plans for release, which includes a return to the family farm where he has family support.”

Justice Bast also stated that the, “principles from the Gladue report had limited relevance in this case.”

by Sheldon Spackman

Rocky Mountain House man sentenced to life for fatal domestic shooting

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