Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 21, 2007, Winnipeg, Manitoba In Brief a6 Manitoba Winnipeg free press Friday december 21, 2007 Winnipeg repress. Com by Geoff Kirbyson t he list of allowable excuses for being late to a hockey practice is Short exams a death in your immediate family and getting a Call from a National hockey league player inviting you to the All Star game. Kristopher Hrom 8, had the last excuse in his Back pocket As his parents car dashed up to the rink seconds before 5 p. M. Wednesday. Just 20 minutes earlier Calgary flames defence Man Dion Phaneuf had been on the phone to inform Kris he was one of a dozen winners of Mcdonalds in the line up contest. His prize is a trip to the nil All Star game next month in Atlanta where hell not Only meet his hero new Jersey devils goalie Martin Brodeur but also participate in the on ice introduction of the players. Ism pumped the Grade 3 student at or. Hamilton school said thursday. Ism just Happy to skate on the same ice As nil hockey players. Kris has Bro Deuris Bobble head doll a replica of one of the devils Stanley cup banners and pictures and hockey cards of the legendary goaltender and his teammates. Hers even lobbying successfully according to his Mother to have his room painted in the devils colours. Kris who plays defence for the River East royals Black a 1 team for eight year Olds had his name pulled from More than 10,000 entries across Canada. His parents Mary Lynn and Brian received the news from Mcdonalds a couple of Days earlier but managed to stifle the urge to Tell him. We kept the secret from him the whole time. It was really hard Mary Lynn said. We went to Mcdonalds that night for supper weave got to support them now and we were bugging him when we saw the and for the contest. it be great if you won that a Kris and one member of his family will receive round trip airfare to Atlanta for the game on Jan. 26, three nights in a hotel a pair of tickets to the skills Competition and two tickets to the game itself. Kris will also get to stand beside his heroes during the playing of the National anthems. Mary Lynn said the entire family including his five year old sister Tesia is hoping to accompany Kris to Atlanta. Geoff. Kirbyson free press. My. Ca by Mike Mcintyre sticking a knife straight through someones heart is a Clear sign you intend to kill them the Crown argued thursday during the closing of a Winnipeg murder Case. Heywood Adam Meek is 23, claims he never meant to take the life of his victim Shaun Laforte following a september 2005 confrontation outside a Winnipeg Gas bar. He is seeking to be convicted of manslaughter which suggests an accidental slaying. Crown attorney Brian Wilford told court thursday Meek is was fully aware of his actions and should be convicted of second degree murder. This was a Stab wound to the heart the very essence of life. This a snot done to an extremity said Wilford. Queens Bench Justice Joan Mckelvey has reserved her verdict until Jan. 3. Defence lawyer Mark Wasyliw claims his client was too drunk to form the necessary intend needed to prove murder. Laforte 18, suffered a single Stab wound to the heart following a dispute with Meek is Over use of a payphone outside a North end Gas bar at Mountain Avenue and Salter Street. Meek is took the witness stand in his own defence this week saying he has absolutely no memory of the stabbing. He had never met Laforte and the two men Only crossed paths for the first time moments earlier. Meek is told court he first Learned of the slaying from police a few hours later and has absolutely no memory of it. I was shocked. I did not know what to think. I feel terrible Meek is said under questioning from his lawyer. Meek is told court he was very very drunk that night after visiting several City bars and a House party. He also smoked marijuana and May have also done crack cocaine. Wilford suggested thursday Meek Isis faulty memory is the sign of a guilty Man. The immediate aftermath of the killing was caught on surveillance camera Meek is is seen holding a knife As Laforte stumbles through the parking lot clutching his Chest before collapsing inside the store. Meek is drove away from the scene and told a Friend in his car i just thanked someone lets go according to the mans testimony this week. Wow. Mikeo crime. Com Man freezes to death a 42 year old Man appears to have Frozen to death Early wednesday after his car got stuck on a in slowed Road near the Village of Franklin. Ramp said thursday they were called to the scene at 8 25 a. M. After someone found a Frozen body approximately 3.5 Kilometres Northeast of Franklin. A passing Driver saw a vehicle in the ditch As Well As a body and subsequently contacted police. Mounties said they believe the Man got out of his Chrysler Neon after he got stuck on an in slowed Road. He was the Only person in the car at the time and was located less than a Kilometre from the vehicle. Early indications Are he became disorientated and May have died of hypothermia. A cause of death has yet to be confirmed by autopsy. Ramp believe alcohol May also have been a Factor. The mans name was not released because his family is still being contacted. Franklin is about 10 Kilometres West of Neepawa and one Kilometre North of Hwy. 16. Were shopping at Home Manitoban Are near the Bottom of the pack when it comes to Holiday spending and they re More emphatic than most canadians about avoiding the United states for gift buying. A study released by Scotia Bank found 75 per cent of residents of Manitoba and Saskatchewan definitely will not shop for gifts South of the Border this year. Most people in the two provinces plan to spend an average of $ 799 this Holiday season. Thatus compared to More than $ 1,000 for residents of Atlantic Canada and Ontario and $ 946 for albertan. Shoppers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan Are also the Only ones planning to spend less this year about $ 26 less than in 2006. People in other provinces plan to increase spending anywhere from $ 25 to $ 168 More than last year. The 2007 list of Favourite gifts is similar to last year with clothing toys electronics and gift cards among the most popular items. Nunavut the Northwest territories and Yukon were not included in the study. Killing no Accident Crown argues Phil Hossack / Winnipeg free press Kristopher Hrom 8, will skate on the same nil All Star ice with hockey is Best and hers pumped Kris gets All Star Early present youngster wins trip to nil showcase ;