PANAMA CITY — A Chipley woman who fatally stabbed her boyfriend in an American Legion parking lot pleaded no contest to manslaughter on Thursday.
Earnestine “Tina” Canuet, 65, pleaded no contest to an October 2013 stabbing incident at the Southport American Legion Post 375 at 6937 State 77, where Richard Lielasus, 68, suffered a 6-inch gash to the left side of his stomach. Lielasus died from his wounds about a month later.
The charges against Canuet were upgraded from aggravated battery with a deadly weapon to manslaughter before a doctor deemed her incompetent to proceed in February due to depression.
One witness told investigators Canuet came into the Legion’s bar Oct. 21 waving the bloodied 12-inch blade in the air, stating, “I did it; I killed him,” according to arrest records.
Circuit Court Judge Elijah Smiley ruled Canuet was competent to continue court proceedings Aug. 18, setting up Thursday’s plea to manslaughter.
State prosecutors said she was not made a plea offer.
En route to the jail after the stabbing charge, Canuet was in hysterics, making several outbursts, according to arrest records.
“He broke my heart,” she said. “He told me to suck it up and get over it; I don’t know why I did it but I just did, and I’ve never hurt anyone before.”
Court records indicate Canuet does not have a history of violence, which could effect the penalty she receives. She was released on bond and scheduled for sentencing in October.