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

'Rolly' Fox, Father Of Marathon Of Hope's Terry Fox, Dies At 80

BC, Canada & the world mourns Rolly Fox. A great man, he helped make a hero's dream to beat cancer stronger, and closer to being realized.

'Rolly' Fox, Father Of Marathon Of Hope's Terry Fox, Dies At 80

Dark Homes Report: 10,800 Housing Units Sit Empty In Vancouver, Mostly Apartments

Ninety per cent of vacant units were apartments.

Dark Homes Report: 10,800 Housing Units Sit Empty In Vancouver, Mostly Apartments

Liberal Immigration Plan Seeks To Bring More Than 300,000 Newcomers This Year

Between 280,000 and 305,000 new permanent residents will be admitted, a range that's the highest projected level in decades.

Liberal Immigration Plan Seeks To Bring More Than 300,000 Newcomers This Year

Indian Diaspora Contributes Significantly To Britain's GDP: Navtej Sarna

Indian origin people in Britain are "important" because though only being 1.8 percent of its population, they contribute 6 percent to GDP, India's new High Commissioner Navtej Sarna said on Tuesday.

Indian Diaspora Contributes Significantly To Britain's GDP: Navtej Sarna

First Nations Gets $9 Million In Skills Training Funding From B.C. Government

Premier Christy Clark announced the agreement, which must still be drafted.

First Nations Gets $9 Million In Skills Training Funding From B.C. Government

Seizure Of Crime Proceeds Often A Provincial Cash Grab, New Report Finds

The analysis concludes the rationale for the laws — to confiscate property from criminals and organized crime and compensate victims — has been lost in their application.