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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.