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.

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