Kelly Lake killer who fatally stabbed man up to 20 times set to be sentenced

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The man who stabbed a 54-year-old to death in Kelly Lake is due to be sentenced tomorrow. 

Morgen Lambert-Bouma appeared remotely at the Dawson Creek Provincial and Supreme Court on May 15th, 2025 after murdering 54-year-old Owen Cardinal in 2019 in Kelly Lake.

Lambert-Bouma was 25 years old when he was arrested on August 16th, 2019, after the RCMP were called to a home to look into reports of an assault.

After arriving at the scene, officers found Cardinal fatally wounded with up to 20 stab wounds, along with Lambert-Bouma. 

Both were known to each other, according to police, and Lambert-Bouma was charged with second-degree murder.

Lambert-Bouma was said to be on methamphetamine and other medical drugs on the day of the murder. 

Now 30 years old, Lambert-Bouma’s trial was adjourned in March 2024, but he was found guilty in September of that year.

At a sentencing hearing on May 15th, 2025, the Crown prosecution, John Hempstead and Stalin Gill argued for life imprisonment with parole eligibility in 13 years.  

They read victim impact statements from Cardinal’s family. 

Meanwhile, the defence is set to argue for Lambert-Bouma’s parole eligibility after 10 years. 

“This is a very tragic and unfortunate case,” said Lambert-Bouma’s defence. 

They cited Lambert-Bouma’s struggles, like his mental and psychological health, past arrests and drug abuse. 

At the end of the trial, Lambert-Bouma was given the chance to speak freely to the judge but opted not to.

After hearing the submissions of both sides, the judge said more time was needed to consider and Lambert-Bouma’s sentence will be delivered on May 16th. 

In March 2022, the judge ruled Lambert-Bouma was mentally fit to stand trial, though he was ordered to stay in custody at the Coquitlam Forensic Psychiatric Hospital during the proceedings.