Killers get 10-year sentences
Family of slain immigrant decries the terms of trio’s manslaughter convictions
The family of a slain Calgary man is angry at the 10-year sentences handed his three admitted killers on Monday.
“I’m not happy with the sentence at all. I’m never going to be happy with it,” Awien Abiem said, after the men who killed her brother pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Added Mary Malueth, the dead man’s mom: “My son is my life ... we lost our love.”
Benjamin El-Ajak Nyiker, Akieg Santino Bol and Matiop Nyok Okich each pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter in connection with the Nov. 11, 2016, shooting death of Abiem Abiem.
All three had faced charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping, but admitted the lesser charge as part of a plea deal.
Their lawyers, Allan Fay, Gavin Wolch and Alain Hepner, all said the Crown had problems with their witnesses. “Some of the witnesses were reluctant to testify,” Fay told Judge Harry Van Harten.
Reading from a statement of agreed facts, Crown prosecutor Joe Mercier said the three offenders were involved in an ongoing dispute with three people, including Abiem’s cousin, Bol Bol.
In the early morning of Nov. 11, 2016, they had a female friend drive them to Abiem’s home while they were armed with a Colt .45 revolver and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun. “They thought he could tell them where Bol Bol lived,” said Mercier. “They convinced him to go with them and the four went to the car.
“The victim directed them to 2416 47 St. S.E. where Bol Bol lived.”
When Bol Bol heard banging to the back door where he had a basement suite, he went to investigate.
“The victim was there with a scared look on his face and rushed in, saying, ‘Close the door, they have guns,’” Mercier said. “The two of them tried to close the door as the three accused rushed the door.”
As the victim and his cousin attempted to close the door, the offenders tried to push their way in.
“A shot was fired and a shotgun slug went through the door and through the victim,” Mercier said.
Abiem, 23, slumped on his cousin and died a short time later.
Mercier said all three men, who originally fled Sudan or South Sudan as children, have permanent residence status in Canada.
Hepner said while deportation proceedings will likely take place, he doesn’t expect any of the three to be sent back to their homeland.