Twelve years for man sentenced in brutal stabbing attack

Michael James Post was sentenced for a 2022 stabbing incident on Tuesday, CTV London's Nick Paparella has more.

While handing down his sentence in a violent aggravated assault case in a London courthouse on Tuesday, Justice Brian White wasted little time in telling the court how Michael Post, 50, brutally and violently stabbed 37-year-old Zaya Ballo outside a McNay Street high-rise apartment building on September 18, 2022.

Justice White said, “The stabbing of Mr. Ballo was savage and was committed with a callous disregard for human life.”

The court has heard that the victim is now basically bed ridden and needs care around the clock.

It was all over a 120 dollar marijuana debt.

The judge added, “The long lasting injuries to Mr. Ballo can only be described as catastrophic... Mr. Ballo may never fully recover, the quality of life is significantly decreased.”

During the proceedings the court heard that at the time of this stabbing, Post was on parole for the 1999 second degree murder of Michael Goldie-Ryder of London.

The 20 year old Goldie-Ryder was stabbed to death by Post over a dispute over a cab fare in downtown London near the intersection of York and Richmond.

Justice White said, “As I consider the appropriate sentence I ask again what is the sentence for an adult offender who was on parole for second degree murder the time that he brutally stabbed the victim in the chest with a large knife?”

He added, “The message must be stated in the strongest possible terms.”

Convicted of aggravated assault in this case the judge then handed Post a sentence of 12 years in prison along with a lifetime weapons prohibition.