‘You can play a tough guy or you can make a difficult decision’: P.A. judge encourages young man to give up life of crime

According to a pre-sentence report, the man had a problem understanding risk factors which may lead to criminal behaviour. One of his most recent charges before the court dated back to November, two months before his 18th birthday. Morin expressed how sad it was for the man to spend that day behind bars.

“If anyone needs to look at that, it’s you,” he said.

According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Addabor, the man was arrested in May for possessing drugs and carrying a gun. Police found bullets in his shirt pocket and a quantity of meth and cocaine were found inside two Kinder eggs the man was carrying. A black bandana, indicating gang affiliations was also found.

Morin explained to the man jail will make for some tough choices—the hardest of which will be whether to remain in a gang.

“You can play a tough guy or you can make a difficult decision and say ‘I will not play a role in gang activity,'” Morin said.

The man’s mother and sisters were also present in court for the hearing Thursday.The judge’s stern words appeared to have an impact on the young man, who held his head in his hands as he stood in the prisoner’s box. Often he nodded his head in agreement when asked if he understood what the judge was saying.

Morin told the man he was lucky to have family supports in his life, considering the severity of his convictions.

“We can choose our friends, but we dont get to choose our family,” he said, adding it was not too late to start a different path.

“You’ve got your whole life in front of you,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

‘You can play a tough guy or you can make a difficult decision’: P.A. judge encourages young man to give up life of crime

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