Black sentenced to 16 years; apologizes to victim
A violent and disturbing case which has loomed over the city for years finally came to an end this morning.
Leslie Black was sentenced to 16 years this morning for his savage attempt to murder Marlene Bird, bringing an end to a case which has languished in the court system for more than three years.
Black attacked Bird in a downtown alley on June 1, 2014, stomping and sexually assaulting her before lighting her on fire and leaving the scene. As a result of the attack Bird’s legs were amputated, and she lost much of her eyesight.
Black pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder, and this morning Judge Stanley Loewen sentenced Black to a 16-year federal prison sentence, which will be followed by a 10-year long-term supervision order. Because he has been held in custody since July 1, 2014 while lawyers argued over his potential status as a dangerous or long-term offender, Black was given credit for four years and eight months’ time already served. He was also handed a lifetime ban on owning firearms or ammunition and was ordered to provide DNA samples.