Edmonton man sentenced to more than 12 years for manslaughter in death of 6-month-old son
An Edmonton man has been sentenced to 12 1/2 years for manslaughter in the 2017 death of his six-month-old son.
Christopher Lamarche, 27, had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jarock Humeniuk but was found guilty earlier this month of the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Sterling Sanderman delivered the sentence Thursday morning in an Edmonton courtroom, characterizing Jarock’s death as “the brutal killing of an infant.”
"It is absolutely necessary to underline, with emphasis, society's revulsion for such a heinous act,” he ruled. "There's not a greater position of trust than a father caring for their child. You breached that position of trust in an unbelievable fashion.”
Sanderman cited how the assault involved sustained shaking and twisting of a vulnerable child who was in Lamarche’s care.
“This was a child who was totally dependent on his caregivers,” he said. “You sought no help after you inflicted these injuries.”
“You went to sleep. This is callous behaviour showing complete indifference to the plight of your son. He has been fatally injured by you and you do nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
On May 28, 2017, the infant was found at a home on 142 Avenue and 77 Street by emergency workers with fatal head, back and rib injuries.
His death was first considered suspicious and later classified as a homicide.
Lamarche was charged in 2019 following a police operation where he confessed killing his son to an undercover officer.
Crown prosecutor Bonnie Parker argued for a 16-year sentence, stating Lamarche’s moral culpability was “at the highest end of the range.”
“He abused an exceptionally young child,” she said. “He bent his six-month-old son in ways that a baby should never be bent.”
Defence lawyer Evan McIntyre argued for a sentence of between eight and 10 years, saying Lamarche was sorry for what he had done.
“Mr. Lamarche made a horrific, life-altering mistake that night,” he said. “He has to live with what he has done here.”
Lamarche declined the opportunity to address the court on Thursday.
Court also heard several victim impact statements written by relatives of Lamarche and Jarock and read out by Parker.
“Everything he could have been was taken away and I will never have the chance to experience any of those things with him,” Jarock’s mother wrote in a statement.
“My life has felt incomplete since May 28, 2017 and I have yet to find a way to cope.”
Lamarche received enhanced credit for 930 days already spent in custody and has 8 1/2 years remaining to be served.
He is also banned from possessing firearms for 10 years upon release and must provide a DNA sample.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.
Djokovic needs medical attention after getting knocked on the head by a water bottle at Italian Open
Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after apparently getting knocked on the head by a water bottle after a win at the Italian Open on Friday.