Thursday, December 25, 2025
ADVT 
National

B.C. man not at 'immediate risk' to reoffend

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Jun, 2021 01:31 PM
  • B.C. man not at 'immediate risk' to reoffend

The man who killed a 13-year-old girl and injured her friend at a high school in Abbotsford, B.C., has been asked to read the victim impact statements related to his crime before he addresses the court.

Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes told defence lawyer Martin Peters that she would like Gabriel Klein to reflect on the statements given by family members during his sentencing hearing this week.

Klein was convicted of the second-degree murder of Letisha Reimer and the aggravated assault of the other girl, whose name is under a publication ban.

The murder conviction brings an automatic life sentence, but Holmes still must determine when Klein will be eligible for parole and says she'll release her decision July 7.

Peters told the court Klein should be eligible after 12 years, while the Crown is calling for 18.

Peters told the court it's not completely accurate to label Klein a "high-risk to reoffend," because he is willing to continue treatment to control his schizophrenia and his risk only rises if his mental health issues are not properly managed.

Family members of Reimer and her friend addressed the court on Wednesday, describing their concerns that Klein will not receive a fit sentence for the damage he has caused.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada turns focus to buying COVID-19 boosters

Canada turns focus to buying COVID-19 boosters
Canada expects to get every adult vaccinated fully — with both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines or one shot of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson — by the end of September at the latest.

Canada turns focus to buying COVID-19 boosters

Charities hope budget lends them a helping hand

Charities hope budget lends them a helping hand
Imagine Canada, a charity that promotes the work of the sector, said groups have on average seen just over two-fifths of their earnings disappear due to the pandemic.

Charities hope budget lends them a helping hand

Air Canada aid package 'bittersweet': WestJet CEO

Air Canada aid package 'bittersweet': WestJet CEO
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday that talks continue with Canadian airlines, including WestJet.

Air Canada aid package 'bittersweet': WestJet CEO

NDP MP proposes decriminalizing drug use

NDP MP proposes decriminalizing drug use
MP Don Davies introduced a private member's bill today that would scrap Criminal Code provisions on drug possession, expunge criminal records for the same offence and mandate low-barrier access to a safe supply of medically regulated substances.

NDP MP proposes decriminalizing drug use

Vancouver Aquarium has been sold to US tourism operator, Herschend Enterprises

Vancouver Aquarium has been sold to US tourism operator, Herschend Enterprises
The agreement ensures that Vancouver will continue to have a world-class aquarium with the financial strength to continue building on its 64-years of success as an animal care and animal rescue facility, a cherished educational venue, and one of BC’s top tourist and event destinations.

Vancouver Aquarium has been sold to US tourism operator, Herschend Enterprises

New building to replace B.C. residential school

New building to replace B.C. residential school
B.C. Premier John Horgan, federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller and area Indigenous leaders, including Deputy Chief Harlan Schilling of the Daylu Dena Council at Lower Post, made the announcement today during a virtual news conference.

New building to replace B.C. residential school