Sudbury man sentenced for manslaughter after 'senseless and tragic' incident last Canada Day
After pleading guilty to manslaughter following an assault that turned fatal last July, a Sudbury man has finally learned his fate.
Denis Richer, 49, was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday for beating a man to death on Canada Day last year. The sentence is in addition to 357 days he has already spent in jail.
The case revolves around a serious assault that took place outside a home on Ferndale Avenue in the Minnow Lake neighbourhood of Greater Sudbury on July 1, 2020.
The court heard the victim -- a 44-year-old man likely suffering a mental-health crisis -- stripped naked in the street and forced his way into the home where Richer's 75-year-old widowed mother was home alone.
A fight ensued when Richer arrived, and witnesses said they heard Richer yell, "You scared my mother! She's frail."
Witnesses testified the victim swung his fists at Richer and hit him with a plastic shovel before being punched back. When the victim fell to the ground, Richer began stomping on his head until witnesses yelled at him to stop.
The autopsy revealed the cause of death was the severe impact of blunt force trauma.
Richer took off before police and the ambulance arrived. The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.
Originally, a 25-year-old man who lived next door to where the fight took place was charged with attempted murder in the case, but shortly after, police dropped the charge and arrested Richer.
The charge was upgraded to second-degree murder when the victim died in hospital 11 days later. Richer ended up pleading guilty to manslaughter early on to avoid a lengthy court case, and Justice Alexander Kurke said he has expressed remorse for the crime.
Victim impact statements
The Crown and defence made a joint sentencing submission, asking for four and a half years in jail, with credit for pre-sentence custody. That was granted by the judge, who also imposed a lifetime firearms ban and a no-contact order with the victim's family.
During the sentencing hearing, the victim's two brothers and his partner of 22 years read victim impact statements that described how much he is missed and that they are not ready to forgive Richer.
One of his brothers said Richer took the law into his own hands that night and that he hopes Richer can learn to respect human life.
In his sentencing decision, Kurke said after weighing all the circumstances, the proposed sentence is an appropriate balance of rehabilitation and denunciation of the crime. He said it should send a message to others that even unintentional killings will be severely dealt with.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.