P.A. murderer eligible for parole in 11 years

Herron will serve 11 years of his sentence in jail before he is eligible for parole. Kalmakoff also handed down a lifetime firearms ban as well as a victim surcharge and a DNA order.

Prior to the sentencing, the court heard Herron had no prior criminal record before the murder and possessed a strong work ethic having started employment at the age of 13. Kalmakoff made sure to mention Herron didn’t fire the gun that killed Bear.

Herrron’s lawyer, Mary McAuley, told the judge Herron turned himself into police after the shooting and spent five months in custody before he was granted bail. She argued he has strong support from both family and friends, which was shown when dozens piled into the courtroom.

“He has extreme remorse,” she said. “He has not taken [this lightly]. He’s not a danger to society. He’s got so much support.”

Following the court’s proceedings, McAuley told paNOW she asks for the lowest amount of years before parole eligibility, which would have been 10 years. She said the sentence was apt since Herron had little involvement in the crime.

“The 11 years is not bad,” she said. “It could be better, but it is not like 16 years at least. So we’re OK with that.”

McAuley said she wanted to highlight Herron’s work ethic because many who go through the court process don’t have one. While Herron did breach his bail twice, McAuley explained they were minor. In one case she said Herron breached his conditions to attend a work interview.

She added his family is having a difficult time with the whole process because Herron isn’t known for being violent.

“This is very shocking for them and it is hard to lose him,” she said. “They have expressed their remorse for the victim’s family, so they understand how the victim’s family is feeling but they have lost somebody as well. I think it is very devastating for both sides of the family.”

Herron’s co-accused Orren Johnson, 28, was found guilty of first-degree murder which carries an automatic 25-year jail period before he is eligible for parole.

Email: Jeff.Labine@jpbg.ca.
On Twitter: @labinereporter.

by Jeff Labine

P.A. murderer eligible for parole in 11 years

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