Teen gets youth sentence for ‘senseless’ murder
Victim impact statements from family and friends of Marina Thorpe describe her as thoughtful, gracious and compassionate — someone who lived a life of humility and generosity.
She was what some might call a “career volunteer,” dividing her time between numerous charities including the Salvation Army, the Red Hat Society and the Friends of Prince Albert National Park.
On April 19, 2015, the 64-yearold woman was shot and killed while walking in a park near her home in Prince Albert. She died in the same hospital where she had worked as a nurse.
“Memories of Marina are triggered when I use a cup she gave me, touch a scarf she knit for me, read a framed poem she wrote or bake her favourite cookies. I feel an overwhelming sadness and bitterness because it was a tragic, needless death,” friend Dalelene Yelland wrote.
Thorpe’s killer, a then 14-yearold boy whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty to firstdegree murder. He was sentenced on Friday in Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench to the maximum youth sentence for first-degree murder: six years in custody followed by four years of community supervision.
Justice Daniel Konkin accepted a joint submission from the Crown and defence for an Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision (IRCS) sentence, which counsel agreed would provide structure and help the teen learn how to cope with his anger issues.
Crown prosecutor Lori O’Connor said there is no defini- tive explanation for the murder. However, court heard Thorpe and her killer knew each other.
“A battling of negative emotions” and “cognitive distortion” sparked the teen’s violence, defence lawyer Garth Bendig told court.
The teen was arrested after admitting to a relative that he had stolen a .22-calibre handgun from the man’s home. He overheard the lock code, and wrote it down on his cellphone, according to an agreed statement of facts.
The boy then stalked Thorpe and shot her in the back of the head.
Bendig said the teen still struggles with what he did, but does not fully understand why he did it. It’s hoped the IRCS program will give him a deeper insight into his behaviour, Bendig added.
The now 17-year-old did not offer any comment to the court.
“All I can say is what a senseless event,” Thorpe’s brother, Larry Olnick, said in his impact statement.
Thorpe’s family members sobbed into each other’s arms after the boy was led away.