Court of King's Bench in Prince Albert. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Man who killed P.A. volunteer prepares for release from custody

Oct 27, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A man who shot and killed a well-respected Prince Albert volunteer in 2015, will begin the in-community portion of his sentence in February.

The man whose identity is protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act as he was 14 when he killed Marina Thorpe, appeared by phone for the final in-custody review of his youth sentence.

The short hearing was held Friday afternoon and was hosted at the Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert. The man’s lawyer, Brian Pfefferle, explained his client has been very successful.

“This is another example of how beneficial the IRCS program is,” he said, adding his client has been very realistic on the matter and is very eager to be released.

The Intensive Rehabilitation Custody and Supervision program (IRCS), is federally funded and is geared toward helping youth with mental health needs and convicted of serious violent offences.

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As part of Friday’s hearing, a letter written by the man was presented to Justice Meschishnick, and while not read out loud, was confirmed by Pfefferle as having an integration plan.

“We respectfully suggest his transition to the community has every reason to be successful, given both his attitude and the support he’s got from his family and the workers as well,” Pfefferle explained.

Marina Thorpe‘s body was found on a walking path in the city’s Crescent Heights neighbourhood. Her community involvement was known widely, as she was an active volunteer with multiple groups including the Red Hat society.

In 2017, a park bench was dedicated in Thorpe’s memory. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

While the man’s name cannot be published, nor what his relationship was to Thorpe, police have previously disclosed they did know one another.

In early 2018, he received a 10-year sentence, with six years to be served in custody and the remaining four years to be served under community supervision. This will begin on Feb. 22, 2024.

Ten years is the maximum sentence a youth can receive for first-degree murder. As part of his sentence, the man was ordered to undergo intensive rehabilitation, and was subject to annual reviews.

While living in the community, the man will still be under a number of conditions.

If the man breaches any conditions, he will return to custody. When his custodial sentence expires, he will be subject to a lifetime firearms prohibition. Noting the man’s participation in programming and his plans to attend university, Justice Meschishnick congratulated and applauded him for the efforts he’s done to better himself.

“I wish you all the success with that in the future,” he said.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell