OTTAWA - A woman initially facing second-degree murder charges for a vicious, drunken beating in July 2009 at a downtown shelter pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter Thursday.

The attack happened July 11, 2009 around 1 a.m. in the alley behind the Outreach Hope Shelter on King Edward Ave.

Louisa Killiktee, 28, admited she chased after Arlene Lahey, then 44, threw her to the ground and kicked her in the head four times. Lahey was immobile after the first kick.

Prosecutor Fara Rupert read an agreed statement of facts that the two women didn't know one another but had an argument earlier that evening.

After drinking with friends, Killiktee returned to the shelter around 1 a.m. "significantly intoxicated," when she saw Lahey.

Lahey called the woman a "slut" and "whore" and slapped her behind the head.

As Lahey walked away, Kiliktee ran after her and threw her to the ground.

A witness, Christine Rutledge, intervened and stopped the attack.

The incident was captured on surveillance, where Killiktee was later seen cradling and comforting her victim.

Killiktee was arrested in her room at the shelter shortly after the attack, wearing the same clothing.

Lahey was rushed to hospital and placed on life support, suffering from a brain injury.

She died months later on Oct. 31, 2009.

A doctor initially said Lahey would die from her brain injuries sustained in the fight, but due to a blood disorder as a result of her liver condition, Lahey's health improved minimally, because it prevented her blood from clotting. This condition is what allowed her to live months after the beating.

Despite the improvements, Lahey "was never going to be able to walk, feed herself, or live independently ever again," read Rupert -- she was also unable to swallow.

A pathologist confirmed that Lahey died of bronchopneumonia as a result of her head injuries but that she was also suffering from other life-threatening medical conditions prior to the attack.

Killiktee was headed to trial this August but her lawyer, Oliver Abergel, told the judge a conviction for the lesser offense of manslaughter was due to Lahey's provocation, and a small element of self-defense.

He declined to comment on the case until after sentencing.

The date for a sentencing hearing will be set on July 29.

Larissa.cahute@sunmedia.ca

Twitter@larissacahute