Posted: Feb 18, 2021 6:00 AM ET | Last Updated: February 18
Brayden Bushby, left, departs the courthouse with his mother after his sentencing hearing after being found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Barbara Kentner, in Thunder Bay, Ont., on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.(David Jackson/The Canadian Press)
Brayden Bushby should spend several years behind bars at a federal prison for his role in the death of Barbara Kentner of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, both Crown and defence lawyers agreed at his sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
But the decision as to how long of a sentence Bushby should receive rests with Superior Court Justice Helen Pierce, who has reserved her judgment to May 4.
Thunder Bay Courthouse-staff photo
Judge Pierce will make her decision on Brayden Bushby’s sentence on Tuesday May 4th.
The court agreed that if the COVID-19 numbers are high on or around that date, then a decision will be made as to whether to proceed with that day of sentencing or delay it further.
The crown is looking for an eight- to 12-year sentence along with a ten-year weapons ban and no communication with any of Kentner’s relatives, while the defense countered with a shorter four-year term behind bars.
Both crown lawyers suggested this was a crime based on bias, not hate, towards women rather than Indigenous people. They indicated community impact statements suggesting otherwise were based on their own experiences and aren’t related to this case.
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Feb 17, 2021 4:55 PM By: Canadian Press
Relatives of an Indigenous woman who died after being assaulted with a trailer hitch in Thunder Bay, Ont., told a court they d lost an irreplaceable loved one as well as a sense of personal safety with her passing.
Barbara Kentner’s daughter and sisters spoke of their heartache and fear in statements read by lawyers during a sentencing hearing Wednesday for Brayden Bushby, who was found guilty of manslaughter last year.
Thunder Bay Courthouse-staff photo
Judge Pierce will make her decision on Brayden Bushby’s sentence on Tuesday May 4th.
The court agreed that if the COVID-19 numbers are high on or around that date, then a decision will be made as to whether to proceed with that day of sentencing or delay it further.
The crown is looking for an eight- to 12-year sentence along with a ten-year weapons ban and no communication with any of Kentner’s relatives, while the defense countered with a shorter four-year term behind bars.
Both crown lawyers suggested this was a crime based on bias, not hate, towards women rather than Indigenous people. They indicated community impact statements suggesting otherwise were based on their own experiences and aren’t related to this case.
Thunder Bay Courthouse-staff photo
Judge Pierce will make her decision on Brayden Bushby’s sentence on Tuesday May 4th.
The court agreed that if the COVID-19 numbers were high on or around that date, then a decision will be made as to whether to proceed with that day of sentencing or delay it further.
The crown is looking for an 8-12 year sentence along with a 10 year weapons ban and no communication with any of Kentner’s relatives while the defense countered with a shorter four year term behind bars.
Both crown lawyers suggested this was a crime based on bias, not hate, towards women rather than indigenous people. They indicated community impact statements suggesting otherwise was based on their own experiences and aren’t related to this case.