Judge sentences man with lengthy record after 2022 Westwood killing
An Edmonton court on Monday handed down a nine-and-a-half-year sentence to a man convicted of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a father inside an apartment in the city’s Westwood neighbourhood in December 2022.
Martin Dubitski was originally charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter on the seventh day of his trial. The Crown had sought a 14-year prison term, pointing to an extensive criminal history. The judge opted for a shorter sentence after hearing arguments about Dubitski’s background and expressions of remorse from defence counsel.
The Crown’s account at trial described Dubitski and a second man forcing their way into the victim’s apartment armed with firearms. They surrounded the victim and intended to coerce him into signing over ownership of a Camaro. During the hearing, the court was told both men brought guns and tried to hide them afterwards, but it remains unclear who pulled the trigger.
“The system failed me,” Dubitski told the judge in court. The judge responded that other people had failed him as well, but he must accept some responsibility — and Dubitski acknowledged that he does.
The victim, identified in court records as Kyle Syryda, died in the December 2022 incident. A second person charged in the case has not yet faced trial.
- Sentence: 9.5 years
- Original charge: Second-degree murder, pleaded to manslaughter
- Incident: December 2022, Westwood apartment — dispute over a vehicle (Camaro)
- Defendant’s record: 39 prior convictions, including accessory to a 2021 double homicide
The Crown highlighted the defendant’s extensive record, noting 39 prior convictions. Among those is a conviction for accessory to murder in the 2021 double homicide of Deidra Aldridge and Daniel Grandbois in Edmonton’s McKernan neighbourhood. At the time of the 2022 shooting, Dubitski was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Local impact and unanswered questions
The case underscores ongoing concerns about gang- and gun-related violence within parts of Edmonton and the challenges prosecutors face when multiple armed participants are involved and responsibility for a fatal shot cannot be conclusively established.
For residents of north central Edmonton, the facts are stark: two armed intruders entered a private dwelling intent on seizing ownership of a vehicle, and a man lost his life. The sentencing now closes one chapter for the victim’s family, but it leaves unresolved legal questions about the co-accused and broader questions about enforcement of firearm bans for individuals with criminal histories.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Victim | Kyle Syryda |
| Convicted | Martin Dubitski — manslaughter |
| Sentence | 9.5 years |
| Prior record | 39 convictions (includes accessory to 2021 double homicide) |
| Outstanding | Second co-accused has not yet been tried |
The Crown argued for a longer term in part because Dubitski contravened an existing firearms prohibition. The defence countered that the defendant has shown remorse, pointing to his guilty plea during trial and to difficult life circumstances raised in mitigation. The judge weighed those factors and imposed the nine-and-a-half-year term.
As the remaining accused awaits his day in court, the sentence will be scrutinized by legal observers and members of the community alike. For many Edmontonians, the case will be a reminder of persistent public safety issues in certain neighbourhoods and the role of the justice system in responding to violent crime.
The court appearance on Monday, where Dubitski sat in a black hoodie marked with red and white letters, brought a measure of closure for the one convicted participant. It leaves open the broader questions about accountability, the reach of firearm bans, and whether justice will be fully served once the other accused faces trial.
