Sentencing delayed for teenage murderer

Although a Regina teen who has admitted to murdering a 16-yearold girl is already legally an adult, the hearing to actually decide if he’s sentenced as an adult or a youth has been delayed to the spring.

A two-week sentencing hearing for the youth, who cannot be named unless sentenced as an adult, had been scheduled to start Monday but now won’t begin until May 8. The slight, bespectacled 18-year-old, clad in a dark dress shirt buttoned to the neck, peered tentatively through the glassedin prisoner’s dock at a courtroom packed with family, friends, students, media and the curious.

He has been held in a youth custody facility since his arrest, at age 16, almost two years ago. The teen pleaded guilty in April to first-degree murder in the death of Hannah Leflar, found dead inside a home on the 400 block of Garnet Street North on Jan. 12, 2015.

With several reports by experts still not completed, the Crown and defence jointly requested an adjournment of the hearing.

“We’d be happier if everything proceeded more quickly, but what’s really important is that we do this right and that all of the necessary material is before the court,” co-defence lawyer James Struthers told reporters. “That’s how we can be certain that justice is done for everyone involved.”

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Fred Kovach expressed frustration at Monday’s turn of events. “We’ve effectively wasted two weeks of time,” he said.

“This is not a situation either side wanted to happen,” co-defence lawyer Corrine Maeder replied.

She said both sides learned only recently that the reports, including a psychological assessment, would not be ready in time. It’s unclear exactly why the experts’ reports remain undone six months after the teen’s plea.

“These are busy professionals, and I can’t answer that question,” said Struthers.

Speaking to reporters outside of court, Crown prosecutor Chris White said Leflar’s family was made aware of the delay prior to Monday.

“I think they’d like to see this done sooner as opposed to later. But at the same time, they want it done right,” he said.

The hearing will determine if the youth is sentenced as an adult — as the Crown wants — or as a youth. Sentenced as an adult for firstdegree murder, a youth who was 16 or 17 at the time of the offence receives a mandatory life term but is eligible to seek parole at 10 years. As a youth, the maximum sentence is 10 years, with six of those spent in custody and four on community supervision.

A placement hearing would also determine in what type of facility the teen serves his time.

“We’re of the view that this is obviously a situation where a young person should be sentenced as an adult given the nature of the offence,” White said after court. While an agreed statement of facts, including the circumstances of the killing, has been filed with the court, it remains sealed until the hearing.

Struthers declined to comment on the Crown’s application. “That will be before the court in due course,” he said.

Asked how his client is feeling about sitting in limbo even longer, Struthers said, “This is a difficult situation. Anyone in that position, it would be wearing on them. There’s no doubt.”

A murder trial for a co-accused, who was also 16 when he was arrested and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is still set to open Nov. 14. If he’s convicted, the Crown has already given notice it will also seek an adult sentence.

Leflar’s family declined an opportunity to comment.

White said they’re holding up as well as can be expected. “They’re certainly preparing themselves for what’s to come.”