Wife fell and hit head during struggle over bottle: accused

A man charged with manslaughter in the death of his common-law wife told a Hay River courtroom Mondayshefell and hit her head while the couple was fighting over a bottle of alcohol.

StevenSayine, 40,was testifying in his own defence.

His wife Mary Laboucan, 48,was found unresponsive in their Fort Resolution home in June2012. She was taken to Yellowknife and then to Edmonton, where she was diagnosed with a head injury. Doctors declared her brain deadthree days later.

Last week witnesses testified Sayinehad told themLaboucanhad thrown an ashtray at him, and that he had kicked her in the jaw and she fell backward and hit her head.

The doctor who performed the autopsy onLaboucanhas testified she died from a head injury, andhad bruising on the back of her head and on her facebut none on her jaw.

Sayinesaid Monday he never kicked Laboucan. He said she fell during a struggle over a bottle of alcohol. Sayine said he believed the bottle may have contained some paint thinner or anti-freeze.

He saidhe tried to get it from her and she fell backward and hit her head. He said she thengot up and tried for the bottle again and fell forward onto the couch.

Sayinedidn't deny saying he had kicked Laboucan in the jaw, but said he thought at the time if he told the truth Laboucan would be mad at him for weeks and people would laugh at her.

The Crown asked Sayine if he told people the true version of the story before he knew the seriousness of her injury.

The Crown also asked why he never told the nurse at the health centreLaboucan had fallen and hit her head. He said it was because he believed she had alcohol poisoning.

Closing statements are expected Tuesday.