Sentencing begins in case of fatal B.C. high school stabbing
The sentencing hearing is underway for a man convicted of fatally stabbing one Abbotsford high school student and seriously injuring another.
Letisha Reimer was 13 years old when Gabriel Klein approached her in the atrium of Abbotsford Senior Secondary in November 2016 and stabbed her to death. Klein also stabbed another student, who cannot be identified. The child was seriously hurt, but survived.
The sentencing proceedings began on Wednesday at the B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster. Seven people, including Reimer’s mother and father, read victim impact statements to the court.
Reimer’s mother, Eliane, reflected on the day her daughter was stabbed. She recalled seeing Letisha lying on a stretcher and the lack of colour in her face being a sign her daughter was in grave danger. She then turned her attention to Gabriel Klein, who sat in the courtroom, and told him she hopes he can never escape the sound of Letisha’s screams as he stabbed her 14 times with a hunting knife.
Letisha’s father, Ulrich, called Klein a coward. He described his daughter as a strong girl, but powerless when Klein attacked her from behind. He said no sentence will compare to the loss the Reimer family will have to cope with for the rest of their lives.
The court also heard from the mother of the second stabbing victim. The child survived the stabbing, but suffered health complications for months, including severe nerve pain. The mother described feeling guilt every time her child celebrates a milestone, because Letisha’s parents won’t be able to have those moments with their daughter.
Last year, Klein was found guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated assault. Shortly before the initial sentencing date, Klein’s lawyer applied for him to be deemed not criminally responsible due to mental illness. A judge dismissed that request last April. Klein, now in his mid-20s, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the days after the attack.
A second-degree murder conviction carries a life sentence, however parole varies from 10 to 25 years. Crown counsel Rob Mcgowan is asking for 18 years before parole eligibility, saying the violent attack was unprovoked and against two defenseless children who were going about their day in school. Defence argues Klein should be eligible for parole in 12 years.
Crown is also asking for the Correctional Service of Canada to determine where Klein will serve his prison term. Defence, however, wants the judge to make that decision.
A sentence is expected to be delivered by the end of the week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.