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Sentencing delayed for man convicted of manslaughter of Camrose County grandmother

Nicolas Dagenais to be sentenced in April at Wetaskiwin Court of King’s Bench
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Rosalyn Nelson. (burgarfuneralhome.com)

The sentencing of a man convicted of the manslaughter of a 78-year-old Camrose County woman has been set over to April.

Nicolas Dagenais of Fort McMurray was found guilty on July 22, 2022, in the death of Rosalyn Nelson who was killed at her Armena, Alta. area home on Nov. 8, 2019.

Dagenais was scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 6, 2023 at the Wetaskiwin Court of King’s Bench, but it has now been set for April 25, 2023.

Armena is a hamlet located about 21 kilometres northwest of Camrose along Highway 21.

The Edmonton Journal reported that Dagenais was originally charged with second degree murder but the judge, the Hon. James Neilson, found Dagenais’ mental state made him unable to establish the intent for murder.

Dagenais, who was 23 at the time, was working as a scaffolder in Fort McMurray when he was placed on leave to attend rehab due to substance abuse issues, stated the Journal.

Neilson had concluded Dagenais was in a delusional state of mind when he bludgeoned Nelson to death.

Dagenais was quickly arrested and police stated at the time they were not looking for any other suspects.

According to a Burgar Funeral Home obituary, Nelson had family in Bashaw, New Norway, Camrose and Forestburg. She had two children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Nelson was born in Bashaw and grew up on a farm with her parents and 13 siblings. She was known for her love of nature, wildlife and flowers. She had many pets and animals on her acreage.



Emily Jaycox

About the Author: Emily Jaycox

I’m Emily Jaycox, the editor of Ponoka News and the Bashaw Star. I’ve lived in Ponoka since 2015 and have over seven years of experience working as a journalist in central Alberta communities.
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