Disabled man’s killer jailed for at least 12 years

VANCOUVER — A Vancouver man who used a rock to murder a man in a wheelchair has been sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 12 years.

In December 2017, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Miriam Gropper found Aaron Dale Power, 42, guilty of the 2009 second-degree murder of Michael Nestoruk, 42.

The trial heard that at age 15, Nestoruk fell off a school roof and suffered injuries requiring multiple surgeries, eventually having his left leg amputated above the knee. Due to the pain he endured from the fall, he became addicted to prescription painkillers and at the time of his death was living on the streets of Vancouver and panhandling.

On the night of the murder, Nestoruk, who was known as “Wheels” by some, met up with a friend and was subsequently introduced to several other men, including Power.

The men spent time at a motel room doing drugs, and later Power confronted Nestoruk at nearby Sir Guy Carleton Elementary School, the same school where Nestoruk had fallen off the roof as a teen.

Power struck Nestoruk twice on the head with a rock and then dragged the body into the nearby bushes in an attempt at concealment before fleeing the scene.

A reward was offered for information about the killing, but nothing came of it. However, an undercover police operation that was launched in 2014 resulted in Power confessing to the murder.

Court heard that Power had 56 prior convictions, including crimes of violence.