Man who stabbed SSO director in eye given 2-year sentence

The man who attacked Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (SSO) director Mark Turner in the summer will spend the next two years in custody.

Devin Storey, 38, was sentenced Tuesday for assault and aggravated assault, with recommendations from the judge to serve that time at the Regional Psychiatric Centre.

Storey was arrested on July 31 after he walked into the SSO main office in Riversdale, began mumbling and then lunged at Turner.

During the attack, Turner was stabbed in the eye with the blunt end of a fork and sustained significant injuries.

The Crown said the SSO executive director has lost upward function in his injured eye, and he suffered extensive psychological trauma from the event.

Turner announced in October the SSO would be moving out of Riversdale due to the effects of the attack on himself and other staff.

Court heard Storey was high on drugs at the time of the assault, and he only remembered parts of the day.

“I’d like to apologize to everyone I’ve affected,” he said during brief remarks.

The judge noted Storey didn’t have an extensive criminal record, making the case an unusual one.

A pre-sentencing report submitted to the judge noted the 38-year-old had suffered repeated sexual assault during his childhood, leading to addictions issues in his teenage years.

When his girlfriend of 11 years broke up with him recently, he began pumping “as much drugs as he could” into his system, because he “didn’t want to live anymore.”

The judge ordered Storey to take part in drug rehabilitation programs while in custody, saying if he doesn’t change his behaviour someone else could end up severely injured.

Storey will also serve six months probation upon release.