Man sentenced to 30 months for 2019 fatal shove outside Edmonton convenience store
The man who killed a 26-year-old man outside a west Edmonton convenience store in 2019 has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for manslaughter.
Christopher Chase used both his hands to shove Jamie Desjarlais to the ground outside a 7-Eleven near 156 Street and 107 Avenue, around 5:30 a.m. on April 19, 2019.
Desjarlais hit the back of his head on the pavement and died in hospital six days later.
"This was an unprovoked, sudden assault on an unsuspecting individual," said Alberta Court of Queen's Bench Justice Sterling Sanderman in delivering the sentence Monday.
"This was an irrational act. Jamie should not have died," he said. "It was a bad luck meeting."
Desjarlais was 26 at the time of his death and left behind an infant son.
Chase was initially charged with aggravated assault but later plead guilty to an upgraded manslaughter charge after Desjarlais' death.
Sanderman ruled Chase's moral culpability for the crime amounted to a 3 1/2 year sentence. He reduced it to 30 months with credit for a guilty plea and time already spent in custody.
The sentence for manslaughter can range from probation to life in prison.
Chase addressed the court ahead of sentencing saying he was addressing his anger issues.
"I do take full responsibility," he said. "I apologize."
Chase is also subject to a DNA order and prohibition on owning firearms.
'DID NOT DESERVE TO DIE'
Crown prosecutor Bonnie Parker had sought a sentence of between three and four years, telling the court "anything lesser would be of concern."
"It was not a spontaneous act," Parker said. "The accused walked to the deceased and delivered a push that ended his life."
Parker also noted Chase's prior criminal record which included two assault convictions.
Defence lawyer Douglas Lee argued for a sentence of two years, citing Chase's remorse and efforts to better himself.
"The intent to kill was not there."
Desjarlais' younger sister Emily read one of 11 victim impact statements entered into the court record.
"It's so unfair someone with a sincere love of life was robbed of it," she said.
"I will only know that he was good and that he did not deserve to die that night."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.