Saskatchewan Man Who Struck, Killed Conservation Officer Appeals Sentence

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Apr, 2016 01:34 PM

REGINA — A man who struck and killed a Saskatchewan conservation officer is to have the appeal of his sentence heard on Thursday.

Blaine Taypotat was given 9 1/2 years for running down Justin Knackstedt, who had stopped to help police direct traffic after a crash near Saskatoon in May 2013.

Court documents filed by Taypotat's lawyer claim the trial judge didn't consider Taypotat's background of poverty, abuse in a residential school and struggle with alcohol.

Those factors are to be taken into account by courts when sentencing aboriginal offenders.

Taypotat's lawyer writes that the sentence imposed is "demonstrably unfit" and should be eight years.

The Crown says the judge did not make a mistake and the sentence is in keeping with jail time for similar crimes.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Rescuers In B.C. Work To Recover Two Sledders Killed In Avalanche

The two victims were among a group of seven sledding northwest of Blue River on Monday night, said Alan Hobler, a spokesman for the Kamloops Search and Rescue team.

Rescuers In B.C. Work To Recover Two Sledders Killed In Avalanche

RCMP Find Pair Suspected In Emily Sheane's Burnaby Hit-And-Run At Creston Motel

RCMP received a call Sunday morning about two suspicious people who had booked into a hotel.

RCMP Find Pair Suspected In Emily Sheane's Burnaby Hit-And-Run At Creston Motel

Calgary MLA First Denies, Then Admits To 'Flipping Bird' In House At Opposition

Calgary Hawkwood MLA Michael Connolly also admits that when he was initially accused of doing so, he mislead the house by denying it.

Calgary MLA First Denies, Then Admits To 'Flipping Bird' In House At Opposition

Children Under 10 More Likely To Die In Home Fires: Death Review Panel

A death-review panel launched by the British Columbia coroners' service has determined that children under 10 years old were far more likely to die in residential fires that those from ages 11 to 18.