A 22-year-old Surrey man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for gunning down a teenaged boy who had been slashing tires in his neighbourhood two years ago.
Alleged gang associate Steven Brandon Mulligan-Brum, who copped to a charge of manslaughter, will serve only four years, six months in jail, however, after receiving credit for time already served.
At the sentencing hearing, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Bailey said Mulligan-Brum's apology in court was devoid of emotion and he did not appear sincerely remorseful for killing 17-year-old Adem Aliu in the street.
But the young man's lawyer, Lawrence Myers, denied that characterization and said he believes his client feels deeply sorry for what he's done.
"He considers it truly a tragedy and his heart goes out to the family of the victim, there's no question about that," Myers told reporters outside the courthouse.
Aliu had been drinking and vandalizing cars with his friends in July 2010 when Mulligan-Brum confronted him near 103 Avenue and 142 Street. The teenager, who had come to Canada from Albania about three years earlier, was shot in the back of the head and died at the scene.
One of the damaged vehicles was connected to the accused, who has previous convictions for uttering threats, obstructing a peace officer and possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was initially charged with second-degree murder in Aliu's death.
Myers said his client hasn't decided whether to appeal his sentence.
