Michael Post, who previously served time for murder, now faces a lengthy sentence for a violent stabbing that left his victim, Zaya Ballo, in life-altering condition. The stabbing, which occurred on September 18, 2022, in the lobby of an apartment building in London, has drawn renewed attention to Post’s violent history and his release on parole.
Post, 50, had been previously convicted of second-degree murder for killing Michael Goldie-Ryder in 1999. His actions had ignited public concern over downtown violence, leading to security measures such as the installation of surveillance cameras. Post also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for stabbing a student during the same incident that led to Goldie-Ryder’s death.
After serving 11 years of his life sentence, Post was granted parole, but his record shows a repeated pattern of violent behavior. On September 18, 2022, Post, under the influence of anger over a $120 marijuana debt, stabbed Ballo during a confrontation that had escalated through a series of hostile text messages. Despite claiming self-defense, the court rejected this defense, and Post was charged with aggravated assault for the stabbing that left Ballo unable to move or speak. Ballo remains in long-term care, with his family devastated by the irreversible effects of the attack.
At the sentencing hearing, Assistant Crown Attorney Lerren Ducharme argued for the maximum sentence of 14 years, emphasizing Post’s high-risk status for violent crime. “Post has stabbed three people—one fatally—and severely injured another,” Ducharme stated. “This is a rare case where someone with a history of murder and assault is committing similar acts after parole.”
The attack was caught on surveillance video, showing Post stabbing Ballo with a knife, which caused severe internal injuries, including damage to his liver and heart. Ballo’s family has expressed their heartbreak, noting that the vibrant, outgoing man they once knew is now a shadow of his former self.
Despite the severity of the crime, Post’s defense lawyer Brennan Smart argued for a six-year sentence, suggesting that the stabbing was not random and pointing out the harsh conditions Post had endured in prison. However, Ducharme urged the judge to prioritize public safety and ensure that Post remains behind bars for a significant period.
The judge’s decision is pending, with the community and the victim’s family awaiting justice for the devastating consequences of Post’s actions.
