Student convicted of killing classmate in Leduc gets life in prison without parole for 12 years
"It's almost too much to bear," Winkler said as supporters with shirts calling for "Justice for Jenny" held back tears in a Wetaskiwin, Alta., courtroom.
He then crumpled a piece of paper and threw it at Dylan Pountney.
"Rot in hell you bastard" Winkler screamed while pointing at Pountney as he stormed out of the courtroom.
Pountney, 22, was convicted in July of second-degree murder.
He occasionally wiped tears from his face as victim impact statements were read in court.
The trial heard Pountney was 19 when he stabbed the girl in front of horrified students and a teacher during a break in a social studies class at Christ the King School. She stood up then collapsed near the classroom door
A chief medical officer testified the girl died from massive blood loss from five wounds near her neck and shoulder.
Pountney is to receive an automatic life sentence.
A Crown prosecutor urged Justice Eric Macklin to order Pountney serve 15 years before he's eligible for parole. The defence recommended 10 years.
Defence lawyer Derek Anderson told court that Pountney's mother once had a relationship with the girl's father and Pountney blamed the man for his mother's death.
The girl was an "indirect" target, Anderson said.
"He perceived wrongly that the deceased did something wrong, and he wanted to do something to get back."
Pountney's father said his son is sorry and has made changes since the killing. The trial heard Pountney wrote a book while in custody and converted to Islam.
"His family is extremely proud of what he has accomplished," Nathan Pountney told court.
Pountney was also given a chance to speak.
"I just want to apologize for all the pain and suffering I caused Jenny's family," he said.
After deliberating for a couple of hours Justice Macklin handed down the decision, adding his sentence should be served in a regional psychiatric facility.
"A life sentence means life. Mr. Pountney will never again enjoy freedom," said Justice Macklin.
He also reminded those in the courtroom that if granted parole in the future Pountney would be subject to Parole Board of Canada conditions and supervision.
Pountney will also be given credit for time served. He's been in custody since his arrest on March 15, 2021.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2024.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations made against him,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
Families of Paul Bernardo's victims not allowed to attend parole hearing in person, lawyer says
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo have been barred from attending the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, according to the lawyer representing the loved ones of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
BREAKING Baby pronounced dead following 'suspicious incident' in Toronto's midtown area
A baby has died after a 'suspicious incident' in a midtown Toronto neighbourhood, police say.
'They squandered 10 years of opportunity': Canada Post strike exposes longtime problems, expert says
Canada Post is at ‘death's door’ and won't survive if it doesn't dramatically transform its business, a professor who has studied the Crown corporation is warning as the postal workers' national strike drags on.
Sask. woman who refused to provide breath sample did not break the law, court finds
A Saskatchewan woman who refused to provide a breath sample after being stopped by police in Regina did not break the law – as the officer's request was deemed not lawful given the circumstances.
'Bomb cyclone' batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Massive trees toppled onto roads, power lines and parked cars as hurricane-force winds battered the B.C. coast overnight during an intense “bomb cyclone” weather event.
EV battery manufacturer Northvolt faces major roadblocks
Swedish electric vehicle battery manufacturer Northvolt is fighting for its survival as Canadian taxpayer money and pension fund investments hang in the balance.
Canada closes embassy in Ukraine after U.S. receives information on 'potential significant air attack'
The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, located in Kyiv, has temporarily suspended in-person services after U.S. officials there warned they'd received information about a 'potential significant air attack,' cautioning citizens to shelter in place if they hear an air alert.
U.S. woman denied parole 30 years after drowning 2 sons by rolling car into South Carolina lake
A parole board decided unanimously Wednesday that Susan Smith should remain in prison 30 years after she killed her sons by rolling her car into a South Carolina lake while they were strapped in their car seats.