Leflar murder accomplice unemotional, ‘flat’ when describing crime: doctor
A 19-year-old man awaiting sentence for his role in the stabbing death of 16-year-old Hannah Leflar showed no emotion when describing the crime to a psychologist earlier this year, court heard Tuesday.
“(He) was very flat during his retelling of that day and the events of that day, almost like he was disconnected from it ...,” Dr. Danielle DeSorcy testified. “(He showed) no emotion, no tears, almost like reciting a story.”
The psychologist testified on the second day of the teen’s sentencing hearing, being held so Justice Lian Schwann can determine whether to sentence the male — 16 at the time of the Jan. 12, 2015, murder — as an adult or a youth for second-degree murder. There is a wide gap between the two, the difference between life in prison with no parole eligibility for seven years or a youth sentence allowing for no more than seven years split between custody and community supervision.
The male — who cannot be named unless sentenced as an adult — met with the psychologist for an assessment looking into factors leading to the crime and contributing to risk, among other areas.
DeSorcy said the youth provided her with a background that included childhood physical abuse by a stepfather and neglect, which led to him becoming a provider for himself and his brother as a teen.
Despite that and some transience between various family residences, the youth avoided involvement in crime until the incident in question, when his lifelong friend Skylar Prockner recruited him to help stalk and eventually kill Prockner’s ex-girlfriend Leflar.
DeSorcy said she found the youth co-operative, polite and respectful during their sessions, and she noted he had a number of factors in his favour, such as a lack of substance abuse problems, some family supports and what she felt were signs of remorse.
But, under questioning by co Crown prosecutor Chris White and defence lawyer Greg Wilson, DeSorcy said she was left with some conflicting opinions on the remorse aspect, having since read an agreed statement of facts that includes text messages between the male and others following the murder.
To one friend, he texted, “Project Zombify done. Halloween is complete” — apparently a reference to a plot Prockner spearheaded the year before to attack Leflar’s thenboyfriend.
To his brother, the male sent a message referencing a hack and slash video game, suggesting the murder was worthy of a similar game.
Based on that messaging, DeSorcy said it appeared he was “proud” and excited, although she added she believes he is a “people pleaser” who might try to say or do what others want.
There were questions on that count surrounding the youth’s role in the killing, DeSorcy stating it was her impression the male was a follower influenced by the more dominant Prockner.
But White questioned the psychologist on that point, referring to previous testimony that the youth insisted on joining Prockner inside the house despite being told by his friend to stay in the truck. White asked DeSorcy if that might mean the youth “wanted to watch someone die.”
“I suppose it’s possible, but based on what I know of (him), I don’t think that’s the case,” she said.
The hearing, set for two weeks, continues Wednesday.
Prockner, who committed the actual stabbing, previously pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced as an adult. He is appealing that sentence.