After completing a walk with his dog in Calgary, Brett Davidson was chatting with his new girlfriend when he encountered Cory Miklic, a violent offender who carried out a brutal and vicious assault on him, stabbing him more than a dozen times.
Recently, 44-year-old Miklic confessed to second-degree murder in front of Davidson’s family at the Court of King’s Bench, with his family observing from the gallery. The prosecutor, Darren Maloney, narrated the incident from an agreed statement of facts.
Davidson, aged 39, a retired navy veteran who had relocated to Calgary and was residing in an Inglewood condominium on Ninth Avenue, fell victim to the attack on August 27, 2022, in the building’s hallway, where he encountered Miklic for the first time, who resided near his mother’s unit.
History of Assault Convictions
Miklic, with a record of 33 assault-related convictions, was out on bail when he used a kitchen knife to stab Davidson at least 13 times. The motive behind Miklic’s actions leading to Davidson’s death remains unclear, as mentioned by prosecutor Katrina Sole Kahler during the court proceedings before Justice David Labrenz.
During the assault, two neighbors from the fourth floor heard the commotion and cries for help, prompting them to witness Miklic attacking Davidson. They swiftly alerted emergency services while Miklic fled to his mother’s residence, leaving the knife in the kitchen.
Attempt to Save Davidson
Despite being severely wounded, Davidson managed to descend the building’s stairs and collapsed outside the gym on the ground floor, bleeding profusely and seeking assistance. Gym manager Stephen Leonard intervened, providing aid by applying pressure to the wounds and trying to comfort Davidson until medical help arrived.
Davidson, struggling to breathe, expressed his fear of dying before eventually losing consciousness, according to statements from the scene.
Miklic’s Actions Post-Assault
While Davidson fought for his life, first responders and medical staff at Foothills Medical Centre battled to save him, but he succumbed to his injuries around 3:45 p.m. Miklic, on the other hand, left the crime scene, watched a movie at a nearby theater, and later returned to the condo building, where he was apprehended by authorities.
Thirteen members of Davidson’s family submitted victim impact statements but opted for them not to be read in Miklic’s presence, leading Justice Labrenz to review them privately.
Personal Account of Loss
One of the statements read out in court was from Marnie, who had recently started a relationship with Davidson. She described Davidson as her companion, full of love, kindness, wit, and intelligence, who cherished his family and had moved to Calgary from Vancouver Island for a fresh start.
Marnie shared Davidson’s plans to introduce her to his family on Vancouver Island for their upcoming 40th birthdays, a plan that tragically never materialized.
Unfathomable Violence
During Miklic’s sentencing, Justice Labrenz condemned the senseless and incomprehensible nature of the crime, describing it as shocking, appalling, and terrifying. Miklic received a life sentence with a 13-year parole ineligibility period, a sentence mutually agreed upon by the prosecution and defense counsel, Balfour Der.