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Crown seeks lengthy jail term for manslaughter |
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Written by Citizen staff
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Monday, 17 November 2008 |
Crown counsel Peter MacDermick has called for a global sentence in the middle of the eight-to-12-year range for four men in the manslaughter of a Dawson Creek resident two years ago.
The sentencing session began Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in Prince George for Kyle Benjamin Abel, 25; Christopher Anthony Beaulieu, 29; Darcy Paul Beaulieu, 23; and Sheldon Bradley Ghostkeeper, 29.
The four were originally charged with murder, but pleaded guilty to the lesser and included charge of manslaughter March 17. They have been in custody since their arrests in late April and early May of 2007. MacDermick said the Crown would be content with their getting double credit for time in remand, a deduction of about three years from the prison sentence they ultimately receive.
Charges stem from the killing of Thomas Willcocks, 28, on Dec. 2, 2006, whose body was found in a burned-out van in Dawson Creek.
The victim's mother addressed the court before defence counsel began submissions on sentencing.
"Now they get to go on with their lives, and get counselling and benefit from programs, but our nightmares continue," she said.
Abel grew up in a broken home, bouncing back and forth between his mother and father. He had little structure in his childhood, and he was exposed to alcohol and substance abuse, court heard. By the age of 16, he was already drinking and experimenting with drugs, said his defence lawyer, Bruce Kaun.
In 2003 Abel was in hospital in Dawson Creek, later in Edmonton, after a suicide attempt. He suffered from depression, Kaun said.
"He can't repair what has happened," the defence lawyer said. "He has taken responsibility for what he has done."
MacDermick agreed. "He was a party to post-offence conduct and supporting factor," he said. "But he has taken full responsibility for his role in the offence and expressed remorse. Although he doesn't remember details, he describes his participation as unforgiveable."
Through participation in counselling and sweat-lodge ceremonies, Abel is beginning to gain insights into his anger and substance abuse problems, MacDermick said. In a statement mentioned in a pre-sentencing report, he said he might be able, through intensive help, to find a way "to forgive myself for the horrible wrong I've done."
Kaun suggested a sentence of a total of six to seven years.
Defence counsel Rob Climie, representing Chris Beaulieu, said, "This was a horrific incident that appears to have been exacerbated by alcohol and drugs.
"It was an unpremeditated beating that went too far, not a random attack," Climie said.
Chris Beaulieu said he was "pretty hammered" at the time of the incident, his defence lawyer said.
Chris Beaulieu has a rehabilitation plan that includes controlling alcohol abuse with an aboriginal co-ordinator. "He plans to access programs in the federal system in carpentry," Climie said. "He wishes to convey to the Willcocks family his sincere apologies, and he wishes to extend his profound sorrow and regret."
According to a pre-sentencing report, "he has taken considerable steps to rehabilitate his life," Climie said.
The proceedings resume today.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 17 November 2008 )
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