Drifter deserves 12 years for ‘brutal’ killing, Crown contends

Taking the life of a Calgary man who took him in when he was homeless should land an admitted killer up to 12 years in prison, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Crown lawyer Jonathan Hak called Dennis Jan Sorge’s brutal attack on diminutive Calvin Brooker a “near murder” that warrants a significant sentence.

Sorge, 33, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the Sept. 1, 2016, stabbing death of Brooker, 57, in the southeast Calgary home the victim shared with his elderly, blind mother.

Hak said there were numerous aggravating factors warranting a sentence in the range of 10 to 12 years.

“The victim was killed in his home, a place Mr. Brooker should always have been safe,” Hak told provincial court Judge Bruce Fraser.

The defendant recalls that he passed out on Calvin’s bed and at some point was startled awake by Calvin touching him.

“Mr. Brooker had opened his home to the defendant during the defendant’s time of need.”

Hak noted Sorge inflicted 53 separate knife wounds to the victim, who was a slight 4’ 10” and 108 pounds.

“The killing of Mr. Brooker was particularly brutal.”

According to a statement of agreed facts, read in by Hak, Sorge and Brooker met in a gay bar, but never had a sexual relationship during their brief friendship.

“The defendant was effectively homeless and Calvin invited the defendant to stay at his residence,” Hak said.

Despite Brooker’s kindness, his 95-year-old mother Marjorie was not happy with Sorge’s presence in the home.

The night of Aug. 31, 2016, Sorge had been drinking heavily and consuming narcotics.

After arriving home from work late in the evening, Brooker visited with his mother, who occupied the main floor of the residence, before retiring in the early morning to his basement suite, vowing to talk to Sorge about moving out. Brooker’s mother heard the two men arguing downstairs before things got quiet and she went to sleep.

“The defendant recalls that he passed out on Calvin’s bed and at some point was startled awake by Calvin touching him,” Hak said.

An argument ensued and became physical after they moved to the living room, where Sorge grabbed a knife and repeatedly stabbed Brooker, before wrapping the body in a bed sheet and hiding it under a bush in the back alley.

Hours later, a still-intoxicated Sorge called 911 to report he found Brooker’s body in the alley.

Defence lawyer Markham Silver argued that a more appropriate range of sentencing is six to eight years.

“Mr. Sorge is not incorrigible and can be rehabilitated,” Silver said.

“He is truly remorseful for what happened.”

Fraser will give his ruling at a later date.