Manslaughter (Sentencing Cases)

This page was last substantively updated or reviewed October 2023. (Rev. # 93225)

• < Sentencing
• < Cases

Case Digests (2010 to present)

Case Name	Prv.	Crt.	Sentence	Summary
2023
R v Kyriakakos, 2023 MBKB 150 (CanLII), per Martin J	MB	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15 (CanLII), per Faour J	NL	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Johnson, 2023 NSSC 375 (CanLII), per Duncan J	NS	SC	7 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9 (CanLII), per Keith J	NS	SC	8 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
2022
R v Raweater, 2022 ABPC 126 (CanLII), per Keelaghan J	AB	PC		Find summaries of case.
R v Stump, 2022 BCSC 2199 (CanLII), per Beames J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Deo, 2022 BCSC 1835 (CanLII), per Watchuk J	BC	SC	5 years imprisonment	"The offender pled guilty to a charge of manslaughter following an accidental discharge of a firearm that killed his girlfriend. The mitigating circumstances included his youth, he was 19 at the time of the offence, had no prior criminal convictions, had complied with strict bail conditions for over 3 years, the near-accident nature of the shooting, was of a low risk to reoffend, and the guilty plea. The aggravating circumstances included his attempts to cover up the killing and dispose of the body, his involvement in a criminal lifestyle, and the carrying of an illegal, unregistered gun. He was sentenced to five years for manslaughter." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find other summaries.
R v Bragg, 2022 BCSC 1249 (CanLII), per Blok J	BC	SC	7 years imprisonment	"The court imposed a sentence of seven years on a 77-year-old offender. There was evidence of threats made by the deceased toward the offender prior to his firing the gun eight times. In addition, there was evidence of preparation in some of the comments made by the offender prior to the incident. The number of shots fired, the advance thought and preparation, led to a conclusion this was not a situation of acting in sudden panic. The only significant mitigating factor was his age." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find summaries of case.
R v Gilpin, 2022 BCSC 658 (CanLII), per Church J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Wight and Hoo-Hing, 2022 ONSC 5137 (CanLII), per Code J	ON	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Kinnavanthong, 2022 MBCA 49 (CanLII), per Burnett JA	MB	CA		Find summaries of case.
R v Simpson, 2022 NSSC 301 (CanLII), per Brothers J	NS	SC	2.5 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Onalik, 2022 NLSC 137 (CanLII), per Ryan J	NL	SC		"The offender pled guilty to manslaughter where he fought with his uncle and death occurred as a result of a beating. The court viewed the level of violence brought the level of blameworthiness near the middle of the Laberge spectrum from near-accident to near-murder. He was sentenced to five years with credit given for time served. " (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find summaries of case.
R v Maulen, 2022 BCSC 468 (CanLII), per Brothers J	NS	SC	20 months, 6 days	"A fist fight broke out between the offender and the victim. The victim was unarmed but instigated the fight and struck the first blow. The offender was armed with a knife, although he carried the knife for the innocent purpose of wood carving. During the fight, the offender’s knife came loose. The offender was 55 years old. He testified that he feared for his life and the fight ended when he stabbed the victim twice. The offender was found not guilty of second degree murder but guilty of manslaughter. The mitigating circumstances included the fact that the offender did nothing threatening to prompt the attack. Instead, the victim was the first to strike the offender in the head, instigating the fight. In addition, there was no history of violence or intent to use the knife as he approached the victim. (at paragraph 34) Aggravating circumstances included the use of a large knife and the offender’s decision to immediately leave the scene and hide his knife. (at paragraph 35) The sentencing judge confirmed a range of sentencing for manslaughter between 4 and 15 years. He then concluded that the offender “of course is to be faulted for excessive use of force in exigent circumstances, but frankly faulted for little else concerning the events that morning.” He recognized that deterrence and denunciation are paramount but not overwhelming, particularly where the prospects of rehabilitation are strong (at paragraph 81). In the circumstances, the sentencing judge deemed it appropriate to go outside of the conventional range and sentenced the offender to 20 months plus 6 days imprisonment. " (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v Drescher, 2022 NWTSC 15 (CanLII), per Smallwood J	NWT	SC	6 years imprisonment	"The offender stabbed the victim, his brother, 6 times. One of the stab wounds pierced the victim’s heart, causing death. The offender was charged with second degree murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Both the offender and the victim had been drinking on the night in question and became involved in a physical altercation before the stabbing occurred. The sentencing judge recognized the wide range of possible sentences for manslaughter and that the result often turned on the level of moral culpability. On that issue, the sentencing judge further confirmed that stabbing with a knife falls at the high end of moral blameworthiness. (at paragraphs 40 – 41) The sentencing judge confirmed the offender’s criminal record as an aggravating factor but observed that they was relatively minor and did not involve violence (at paragraph 60). Mitigating factors included a troubled past and the offender’s indigenous status. The offender was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment." (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v Panipakoocho, 2022 NUCJ 43 (CanLII), per Charlesworth J	NU	CJ	9.25 years imprisonment	"The accused was charged with first-degree murder in the death of the victim by gunshot. The shot appeared to have been aimed at the legs of the victim to ensure it would not be lethal. Unfortunately it struck critical arteries and the victim bled to death. The trial judge found no intent to cause the death, but intent to shoot the victim, and found him guilty instead of manslaughter and imposed a sentence of 9 years and 3 months." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find summaries of case.
2021
R v Anderson, 2021 ABCA 135 (CanLII), per curiam	AB	CA	16 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Schau, 2021 ABQB 554 (CanLII), per Gill J	AB	SC	6 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Landry, 2021 NSSC 179 (CanLII), per Chipman J	NS	SC	7 years imprisonment	"The offender was charged with second degree murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The offender was 71 years old at the time of the offence. He was visiting the victim, who was a friend. The offender was intoxicated. The victim was smoking a small amount of crack cocaine. The offender said something to upset the victim. The victim moved towards the offender in an aggressive manner and shoved or pushed him. The offender responded suddenly by stabbing the victim in the neck. The victim was unarmed. The offender attempt to provide basic medical assistance including and asked that someone call 911 for urgent help. The aggravating factors included the use of knife to inflict a wound to the neck; the offender was older and had a broken foot but was also physical larger than the victim. Mitigating factors included the apparent impulsiveness of the act; the offender’s guilty plea; acceptance of responsibility and remorse; providing aid immediately after the stabbing; and no criminal record for violence. The sentencing judge accepted a joint recommendation of 7 years imprisonment." (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v Fronczak, 2021 ONSC 219 (CanLII), per Forestell J	ON	SC	5 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Kasudluak, 2021 QCCS 1953 (CanLII), per de Blois J	QC	SC	10 years imprisonment	“[T]he accused, who had no prior record, attacked the deceased with an “exacto” blade after she tried to stop him from using the knife on himself. Both were intoxicated. The deceased sustained 41 blade wounds. The court accepted a joint recommendation of 10 years.” Find other summaries.
2020
R v Gordon, 2020 ONSC 7395 (CanLII), per Forestell J	ON	SC	8 years imprisonment	" A dispute over drugs escalated into a physical altercation during which the offender stabbed the victim with a knife. The knife wound penetrated the victim’s lung and pierced his heart. The offender left the scene, making no effort to assist the victim. He also discarded evidence to avoid arrest and prosecution. At paragraph 31, the sentencing judge adopted the following quote from the Alberta Court of Appeal in R v Ferguson, 2006 ABCA 261 (affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada regarding an issue of mandatory minimum sentences at 2008 SCC 6), the sentencing judge adopted the statement that: An assessment of moral culpability involves a consideration of the particular circumstances of the case including: the nature, quality and gravity of the act; the method and manner by which the act was committed; the offender's awareness of the risk; and what should have been in the offender's mind, had he or she acted reasonably.” The sentencing judge went on to find that aggravating circumstances included the use of a knife causing multiple stab wounds. The vulnerability of the victim who was unarmed. The fact that the offence occurred in the context of a drug transaction and at a time when the offender was on bail. And the significant impact of the crime on the victim’s family (at paragraph 32). Mitigating factors included the offender’s youth and lack of a criminal record. In addition, the offender expressed remorse and demonstrated rehabilitative progress (at paragraph 33). The offender was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment." (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v Profeit, 2020 ABQB 138 (CanLII), per Pentelechuk J	AB	SC		"the offender was convicted after trial of manslaughter relating to the beating death of his 20-year-old girlfriend. Justice Pentelechuk, as she then was, wrestled with the complex problem of weighing the uncertainties of the mechanism of the victim’s death along with the subjective intent of the offender in order to establish his moral blameworthiness. Ultimately it was determined that the myriad of relevant factors placed the case in the “near-murder” category and a sentence of 12 years was imposed." Find summaries of case.
R v Spotted Eagle, 2020 ABPC 70 (CanLII), per Stevenson J	AB	PC		Find summaries of case.
R v Rodgers, 2020 ONCJ 495 (CanLII), per Bliss J	ON	PC		The "accused provided the victim with what he believed to be cocaine. The drug was not cocaine, but a synthetic opioid not intended for human consumption. As a result of consuming the drug, the female victim died. The accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Justice Bliss conducted a review of the law relating to the fit and appropriate sentence for the offence of manslaughter arising due to the ingestion of an opioid. Justice Bliss reviewed cases across Canada supporting a range of sentence between 18 months and five years imprisonment." (Quoting from R v Simpson, 2022 NSSC 301 (CanLII)) Find summaries of case.
2019
R v Poucette, 2019 ABQB 725 (CanLII), per Gates J	AB	SC	2 years imprisonment + 2 years probation	Find summaries of case.
R v McPake, 2019 BCSC 1361 (CanLII), per DeWitt-Van Oosten J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Badhesa, 2019 BCCA 70 (CanLII), per Fenlon and Dickson JJA	BC	CA		Find summaries of case.
R v MacKenzie, 2019 NSSC 67 (CanLII), per J	NS	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Husbands, 2019 ONSC 6824 (CanLII), per O'Marra J	ON	SC		"Offender was convicted of manslaughter after opening fire in a crowded mall food court after spotting perpetrators of a past attack on him. He was sentenced to life imprisonment." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15 (CanLII)) Find summaries of case.
R v Bellegarde, 2019 SKPC 22 (CanLII), per Lang J	SK	PC	9 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Walker, , [2019] OJ No 1263 (Ont Ct J)(*no CanLII links)	ON	SC	3.5 years imprisonment	The "accused was considered a low-level dealer who sold heroin and fentanyl to the deceased. The deceased was a friend of the accused and both the accused and deceased struggled with addiction. The accused pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death and drug trafficking. The accused also testified against a second person charged in the death of the deceased. The court held that five years was a fit and appropriate sentence for criminal negligence causing death, but reduced the sentence by one-and-a half years because of the accused’s substantial assistance in the prosecution of the second suspect. The net custodial sentence was three-and-a-half years." (Quoting from R v Simpson, 2022 NSSC 301 (CanLII))
2018
R v Shyback, 2018 ABCA 331 (CanLII), per curiam	AB	CA	7 years imprisonment	" long history of domestic discord culminated in a physical fight between Mr. Shyback and his partner. The deceased picked up a knife at one point during the altercation and the offender reacted by choking the deceased, even after she had dropped the knife. Like in the present case, the offender then embarked on a pattern of behaviour aimed at covering up the crime, including concealing the body. ...Mr. Shyback was discovered through the use of a “Mr. Big” undercover operation. He was found guilty after trial and ultimately sentenced to 7 years for manslaughter in addition to 3 years for the separate offence of indignity to human remains. The Alberta Court of Appeal seemed to agree that Mr. Shyback was properly placed in the third category of manslaughter." Find summaries of case.
R v Taniskishayinew, 2018 BCSC 296 (CanLII), per Griffin J	BC	SC	4 years imprisonment	The offender was convicted at trial of manslaughter. Find summaries of case.
R v Jongbloets, 2018 BCSC 403 (CanLII), per Devlin J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Krahn, 2018 ABQB 587 (CanLII), per Renke J	AB	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Yaali, 2018 ONSC 3045 (CanLII), per Ratushny J	ON	SC		"Accused pled guilty to manslaughter. He and the deceased had a prior romantic relationship. She started another relationship, and following an altercation between the accused and the new boyfriend, the accused went to the victim’s home and fired several shots intending the target to be the new boyfriend, but instead killing her. His degree of moral culpability was high, and the court imposed a sentence of 13 years, less time served with a 1.5 factor." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find summaries of case.
R v Parisian, 2018 MBCA 16 (CanLII), per Beard JA	MB	CA	11 years imprisonment	The court of appeal overturned a sentence of 14 years. Find summaries of case.
R v Gillis, 2018 NSSC 22 (CanLII), per Rosinski J	NS	SC	9 years imprisonment	"The offender believed the victim was introducing his girlfriend to drugs and exposing her to the sex trade. The offender confronted the victim and a fight ensued. During the course of the fight, the offender found a knife and stabbed the victim, who later died. The offender had a significant criminal record notable for various assaults and weapons convictions. Rosinski, J. distinguished the Crown’s cases as distinguishable because they were more along the lines of “near murder”. Two of the distinguished cases were R v Docherty, 2010 ONSC 3603 and R v Cleyndert, 2006 CanLII 33851, relied upon by the Crown here. Rosinski, J determined that the proper range in the circumstances was 7 – 11 years and he sentenced the offender to 9 years." (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v Knapp, 2018 ONSC 2923 (CanLII), per Heeney J	ON	SC	2.5 years imprisonment	The "accused was convicted of one count of criminal negligence causing death and one count of trafficking fentanyl. The victim was a young woman who had an addiction to drugs. The accused, who had a life-long chronic disease, sold the victim one of his prescription fentanyl patches. The victim used the patch and died of an overdose. There was a joint recommendation made for two-and-a-half years in custody for the offence of criminal negligence causing death." (Quoting from R v Simpson, 2022 NSSC 301 (CanLII)) Find summaries of case.
2017
R v Swampy, 2017 ABCA 134 (CanLII), per Greckol JA	AB	CA	8 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Smith, 2017 BCSC 2513 (CanLII), per Donegan J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Vikilani, 2017 BCSC 2074 (CanLII), per Pearlman J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Fabas, 2017 BCSC 1693 (CanLII), per Holmes J	BC	SC		"The offender pled guilty to manslaughter with a firearm. He fired a rifle toward a window in a hotel where the deceased was standing. The offender did not realize the deceased was shot between the eyes at the time. He was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find summaries of case.
R v Chol, 2017 BCSC 1709 (CanLII), per J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Robinson, 2017 BCSC 681 (CanLII), per Silverman J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Stanford, 2017 BCSC 530 (CanLII), per Russell J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Carte, 2017 BCSC 2421 (CanLII), per DeWitt-Van Oosten J	BC	SC	7.5 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Johnson, 2017 BCSC 1240 (CanLII), per Donegan J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Enright, 2017 ABQB 10 (CanLII), per Jerke J	AB	SC	10 years imprisonment	"case involving a 29-year-old offender... He entered a plea of guilty to manslaughter. The offender also used a knife as a weapon and stabbed the victim three times in the chest. ...the victim was unarmed. Further, the offender had a criminal record including three assaults, two in 2014 and one in 2015 for which he received six months in jail. In addition, the offender had started using marijuana when he was 12 years old and acknowledged that he was addicted to drugs." Find other summaries.
R v Nguyen, 2017 BCSC 1669 (CanLII), per Ehrcke J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Nguyen, 2017 BCSC 1401 (CanLII), per Arnold-Bailey J	BC	SC		"The offender was charged with second-degree murder, but following a jury trial he was found guilty of manslaughter. The facts indicated a particularly violent incident, but a shooting that took place in the context of panic. The mitigating factors included his difficult history arising from emigration from Vietnam, no prior record, genuine remorse, and an offer to plead guilty to manslaughter (not accepted by the Crown). The aggravating factors included the possession of an unlicensed and unregistered firearm, the repeated firing of shots resulting in the death of the victim, and the commission of the crime in the presence of his own young sons. The court imposed a sentence of 9 years, less credit for time served, resulting in a net sentence of 3 years, 7 months." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find summaries of case.
R v Ash, 2017 CanLII 47378 (NL SC), per Goulding J	NL	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Larson, 2017 ABQB 79 (CanLII), per Renke J	AB	SC	5.5 years imprisonment	"In the course of a fight, the offender stabbed the victim in the side of his chest with a kitchen knife. The wound cut an artery causing death. The offender was charged with second degree murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The offender’s criminal record was relatively minor, by comparison to manslaughter. It consisted largely of crimes against the administration of justice and not crimes of violence. He also wrote a letter of apology to the victim’s family. The sentencing judge determined that the stabbing fell into the “higher-culpability groups of unlawful acts.” (at paragraph 53) And the stabbing action reflected an intent not to deter or scare off, but to harm (at paragraph 72) That said, the sentencing judge equally recognized that the act was impulsive - “not planned, deliberate, or complex; his swinging of the knife was in a flailing motion” (at paragraph 116) The fact that the offender struck first was deemed an aggravating factor; as was the fact that the victim was unarmed. In addition, the offender made not attempt to assist after inflicting fatal wounds. Mitigating circumstances included the fact that the use of the knife was sudden and spontaneous, without planning. In addition, the offender found the weapon, he did not carry it with him. The offender did not inflict multiple wounds and did not attempt to flee. (at paragraph 82) The offender was also relatively young. The sentencing judge considered cases in the 4- 8 year range (at paragraphs 101 – 104). He concluded that 6 – 6.5 years imprisonment represented “the true upper limit of the range of sentence” in the circumstances; and he ultimately sentenced the offender to imprisonment for 5 years and 5 months." (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v Wesley, 2017 ABPC 206 (CanLII), per McLeod J	AB	PC	3.5 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
2016
R v Quigley, 2016 BCSC 2184 (CanLII), per Beames J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Whitehead, 2016 SKCA 165 (CanLII), per Caldwell JA	SK	CA	8 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Okemow, 2016 MBQB 240 (CanLII), per Keyser J	MB	SC	2 years less a day imprisonment	The offender pleaded guilty to manslaughter for beating a homeless man to death. Find summaries of case.
R v Strongquill, 2016 SKQB 397 (CanLII), per Gunn J	SK	SC	8 years imprisonment	The offender plead guilty to manslaughter. He was with a group of friends and got into a fight with another group. The offender cornered one member of the other group and stabs him with a hunting knife. He was 22 years old at time and had an aboriginal background. Find summaries of case.
R v Landry, 2016 NSCA 53 (CanLII), per Beveridge JA	NS	CA	14 years imprisonment	The offender was convicted at trial for being the principal in an attack on the victim for poaching lobster. The victim was shot and then attacked with a gaff in the water and then drowned with an anchor. "This case involved a simmering feud between crew members of a fishing boat and the victim suspected of poaching lobster and then cutting the traps loose. The offender was 67 years old at the time of trial and enjoyed a good reputation in his community. The trial judge found that the offender confronted the victim at sea while they were both in their boats. The offender shot the victim and struck him in the leg. Thereafter, the offender’s rammed the victim’s boat, leaving him floating in the water. The offender then hooked the victim with a gaff (several times because the gaff became loose) and then dragged him out to sea where the offender eventually died. The Court of Appeal upheld these facts and further upheld a sentence of 14 years. This was a “close to murder” case highlighted by evidence of a sustained, violent encounter. " (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9 (CanLII)) Find summaries of case.
R v Kidder, 2016 ABPC 136 (CanLII), per Allen J	AB	PC	6 years imprisonment	The offender was a drug dealer and stabbed one of his customers three times when they got into a fight. The offender was 37 years old and aboriginal. Find summaries of case.
R v Quinn, 2016 ABPC 121 (CanLII), per Allen J	AB	PC	5 years imprisonment (joint rec.)	While impaired by drugs and alcohol, the offender and a friend got into a physical fight with the victim. The offender kicked and hit the victim while he was down. Find summaries of case.
R v Denny, 2016 NSSC 76 (CanLII), per Rosinski J	NS	SC	8 years imprisonment (approx.)	The offender escaped from the forensic hospital where he consumed cocaine and alcohol. He encountered the victim in front of a local bar. He hit him twice in the head and then kicked and hit him on the ground many times. The victim died from the assault. The offender was aboriginal and had schizophrenia. Find summaries of case.
R v Johnny, 2016 BCCA 61 (CanLII), per Newbury JA	BC	CA	6 years imprisonment	"[T]he accused was a 19-year old Aboriginal man who, while intoxicated, beat an Aboriginal woman with a weapon about her head and body, causing injuries that lead to her death. He was convicted of manslaughter, and was sentenced at trial to a term of imprisonment of eight years, less 357 days credit for 236 days spent in pre-trial custody." The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. (Quoting from R v Spotted Eagle, 2020 ABPC 70 (CanLII)) Find summaries of case.
R v Engebretsen, 2016 BCCA 182 (CanLII), per Harris JA	BC	CA		Find summaries of case.
R v Newton, 2016 BCSC 1440 (CanLII), per Holmes J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case. }
R v Scotchman, 2016 BCSC 652 (CanLII), per Dley J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Sahal, 2016 ONSC 6864 (CanLII), per Dambrot J	ON	SC		"The offender was convicted of manslaughter by a jury following a shooting at a party at the deceased’s apartment. The court found mitigating factors, including the offender’s youth, lack of criminal record, strong family support, his efforts at employment, and a new personal relationship. The court found that the shooting was intentional, and done for the purpose of intimidation in the course of a dispute about illicit activity. A sentence of 6 years was imposed, less credit for pre-trial custody on a 1.5 basis, reducing it by 3 years." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find summaries of case.
R v Burgess, 2016 NSPC 1 (CanLII), per Derrick J	NS	PC	4 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Campeau, 2016 ABCA 378 (CanLII), per J	AB	CA		"The accused and two friends tortured, robbed and eventually killed the victim. The accused and another were convicted after trial by judge alone of murder. The robbery and killing were noted to be remarkable for their brutality. The accused was a 28 years old aboriginal with an extensive criminal record. His upbringing was filled with adversity, and was damaged as a child. Life sentence, noting a co-accused to the manslaughter charge had received a 14 year sentence." Find summaries of case.
2015
R v Corbett, 2015 ONSC 6118 (CanLII), per Hambly J	ON	SC	5 years imprisonment	"The offender was charged with second degree murder but convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter. The offender and the victim were friend and, for a time, lived together in the same apartment. The offender asked the victim to leave the apartment, believe he was not paying a fair share of rent. The victim moved out but left some of his possessions, including a television. The offender subsequently threatened to keep the television until the victim paid an additional amount for rent. Physical threats were exchanged and it was within this atmosphere of animosity that the victim returned to the apartment to reclaim the television. A physical confrontation occurred on the porch leading to the apartment. In the course of grappling, the offender stabbed the victim a single time in the neck with a knife while the victim was unarmed. The victim died of his neck wound. In sentencing, the aggravating factors included the fact that the offender armed himself prior to the confrontation occurring; the decision to engage in violence as opposed to simply relinquishing the television; the manner in which the offender struck at the victim’s upper body; after the stabbing, the offender made no effort to assist the victim but, rather, fled and attempted to dispose of evidence and have others lie for him (at paragraph 23). Mitigating factors including the offender turning himself into police; the relative youth of the offender; a minor criminal record which did not include violence; an element of self-defence as which mitigated blameworthiness and a positive relationship with his daughter (at paragraph 23; see also paragraph 31). The offender also had a troubled childhood. There was no evidence of remorse although the judge noted that this simply meant this could not be an aggravating factor. Remorse may be a mitigating factor such that the lack of remorse simply precluding that finding. The judge sentenced the offender to 5 years imprisonment." (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v Martinez, 2015 BCSC 653 (CanLII), per Jenkins J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Feng, 2015 BCSC 1447 (CanLII), per Wedge J	BC			Find summaries of case.
R v McMath, 2015 BCSC 440 (CanLII), per Ross J	BC			Find summaries of case.
R v Plowman, 2015 BCCA 423 (CanLII), per Neilson JA	BC	CA	5 and 7 years	Three accused "swarmed" the victim and stabbed him to death. Find summaries of case.
2015
R v MCK, 2015 MBQB 82 (CanLII), per McCawley J	MB			Find summaries of case.
R v Dunlop, 2015 ABQB 770 (CanLII), per Eidsvik J	AB	SC		"Guilty pleas entered to manslaughter and indignity after voir dires. The accused had choked a sex trade worker to death during the course of sexual intercourse. He then took her body to a park to conceal her, placing her in a treed area. The accused was a 41 year old software developer with an unrelated criminal record (impaired driving in 2006) and no history of violence. 13 years global custodial sentence with 11 years custody on the manslaughter and 2 years custody consecutive on the indignity." Find summaries of case.
2014
R v Peters, 2014 BCSC 1009 (CanLII), per Romilly J	BC	SC	4 years 5 months	offender stabbed wife in heart Find summaries of case.
R v Tanasescu, 2014 BCCA 479 (CanLII), per Willcock JA	BC	CA	9 years imprisonment	Offender pleaded guilty to beating victim to death while intoxicated. Find summaries of case.
R v Bal & Sidhu, 2014 ONSC 3063 (CanLII), per Daley J	ON	SC	8.5 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Holloway, 2014 ABCA 87 (CanLII), per curiam (2:1)	AB	CA	8 years imprisonment	The offender was convicted at trial for manslaughter. He along with several others, beat and stabbed the victim to death. They had been drinking and were upset that the victim had stabbed the offender. They went to the victim's residence to find him. They found him and beat and kicked him, hit him with a beer bottle, and then while he was down the offender stabbed him in the chest with a butter knife. The offender was 22 years old. Find summaries of case.
R v Scott, 2014 BCSC 2457 (CanLII), per Bruce J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Huth, 2014 BCSC 570 (CanLII), per Macaulay J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Marchand, 2014 BCSC 2554 (CanLII), per Smith J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Hanley, 2014 BCSC 1373 (CanLII), per Arnold-Bailey J	BC	SC	10 years imprisonment	Offender pleaded guilty to beating victim to death while intoxicated. Find summaries of case.
R v Peter, 2014 NUCJ 28 (CanLII), per Rooke J	NU	PC		Find summaries of case.
2013
R v Dhillon, 2013 ABQB 365 (CanLII), 564 AR 303 (Alta. Q.B.), per Jerke J	AB	SC	7.5 years imprisonment (manslaughter) 1 year (assault)	Find summaries of case.
R v Cioppa, 2013 ONSC 1242 (CanLII), per Nordheimer J	ON	SC	8 years imprisonment	Offender stabbed a 16 year old with a knife after consuming drugs and alcohol. Offender was 18 years old with no record. He was remorseful and had supports. Find summaries of case.
R v SDC, 2013 ABCA 46 (CanLII), per Ritter JA	AB	CA	7.5 years imprisonment	The offender had sole custody of her 4 year old niece. She beat her to death. Find summaries of case.
R v Pop, 2013 BCCA 160 (CanLII), per Bennett JA	BC	CA	2 years less a day imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Mulligan-Brum, 2013 BCCA 231 (CanLII), per Groberman JA	{{}}			Find summaries of case.
R v Halkett, 2013 SKQB 41 (CanLII), per Mills J	SK	SC	11 years imprisonment	offender stabbed victim in heart during a dispute over drugs Find summaries of case.
R v Larche, 2013 MBPC 54 (CanLII), per Harvie J	MB	PC	4 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Ryle et al, 2013 MBQB 33 (CanLII), per Spivak J	MB	SC	8 to 11.5 years	three offenders convicted of manslaughter at trial for beating death of inmate at prison. Find summaries of case.
R v White, 2013 NSSC 323 (CanLII), per Rosinski J	{{}}			"The offender was charged with second degree murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Rosinski, J. described the violent as having “the hallmarks of a frenzied killing” with multiple stab wounds such that the number could not be accurately counted. (at paragraph 36) The offender suffered from a mental illness but not to a degree where he would be criminally not responsible” (at paragraphs 46 – 47) Rosinski, J. looked to similar cases and concluded that the range in the circumstances was between 8 – 12 years. He accepted the joint recommendation equivalent to 12 years imprisonment as appropriate (paragraph 91)" (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v Chapman, 2013 ONCA 15 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	9 years imprisonment	Offender held down victim as co-accused strangled her. Offender got bat for co-accused who beat her to death. Co-accused convicted of 2nd degree murder (15yrs parole ineligible). Find summaries of case.
R v Williams, 2013 BCSC 1082 (CanLII), per Thompson J	BC	SC		Find summaries of case.
R v Brertton, 2013 BCSC 1029 (CanLII), per Holmes J	BC	SC	7 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
2012
R v Yusuf, 2012 ONSC 2421 (CanLII), per Ratushny J	ON	SC	6.5 years imprisonment	Offender pleaded guilty to beating victim to death while intoxicated. Find summaries of case.
R v Abel, 2012 NLTD 27 (CanLII), per Stack J	NL	SC	7 years imprisonment	Offender suffocated his former partner. Jury found him guilty of manslaughter and acquitted of second degree murder. Offender had a lengthy criminal record. "the sentencing court examined a series of authorities and concluded that the range of sentence for manslaughter was between four and eight years. A firearm was not used in this case, but the evidence pointed to death by smothering. A sentence of seven years was imposed." Find summaries of case.
R v Karim, 2012 ABQB 727 (CanLII), per Hughes J aff'd 2014 ABCA 88 (CanLII), per curiam (2:1)	AB	SC	16 years imprisonment	The offender gave a co-accused a firearm and directed that they threaten the victim. The co-accused killed the victim instead. Find summaries of case.
R v Ipeelee, 2012 SCC 13 (CanLII), per LeBel J	SCC	SCC		Find summaries of case.
R v Jiwa, 2012 ONCA 532 (CanLII), per Gillese J	ON	CA	12 years imprisonment	manslaughter of police detective, dangerous op. of motor vehicle Find summaries of case.
R v Mason, 2012 MBCA 71 (CanLII), per Chartier JA	MB	CA	life	set fire to rooming house, kills 2 people Find summaries of case.
R v Friday, 2012 ABQB 371 (CanLII), per Burrows J	AB	SC	4 years imprisonment	The offender plead guilty to manslaughter. He and victim drinking heavily, got into argument, offender stabbed him and left him outside in snow and died--offender was aboriginal Find summaries of case.
R v Bissonette, 2012 ABPC 170 (CanLII), per Redman J	AB	PC	5 years imprisonment	lesser party in manslaughter — victim beaten in head multiple times with a 2x4 plank of wood — principal received 8 years. Find summaries of case.
R v Vallee, 2012 BCPC 167 (CanLII), per MacKay J	BC	PC	4 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v MacFarlane, 2012 ONCA 82 (CanLII), per curiam	ON	CA	2 years less a day imprisonment	The offender was party to chasing down, beating and stabbing the victim in the heart. The co-accused was the one who held the knife. Find summaries of case.
R v Reid, 2012 ONSC 7521 (CanLII), per Furest J	ON	SC		"The offender had a troubled childhood which evolved into drug addition and criminal conduct (assault causing bodily harm). He was intoxicated during an argument with an acquaintance. A fight broke out. The offender grabbed a steak knife and plunged it once in the victim’s abdomen. The wound was fatal. The accused did not call for help and subsequently attempted to hide evidence of the stabbing. He was charged with second degree murder but pled guilty to manslaughter. The offender was sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment. The aggravating factors reflecting a high degree of moral blameworthiness included the fact that the offender introduced a weapon when the victim was unarmed. The victim was young and his death had a devastating effect on his family. In addition, the accused had a prior conviction for violence. Mitigating factors included the fact that it was a single wound and the offender did not bring the knife to the fight. There was no evidence of prior hostility or anything to suggest premeditation. In addition, the offender pleaded guilty and was still a relatively young man. (see paragraphs 49 -50). The Court suggested a range of 7 – 11 years. The offender was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment." (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v McConnell, 2012 ABQB 369 (CanLII), per Crighton J	AB	SC	6 years imprisonment	mother drowns her two children Find summaries of case.
R v Prince, 2012 BCSC 293 (CanLII), per Griffin J	BC	SC	7 to 10 years	Find summaries of case.
R v Holden, 2012 BCCA 317 (CanLII), per Bennett JA	{{}}			Find summaries of case.
R v Reddock, 2012 BCPC 143 (CanLII), per Low J	BC	PC	6 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Rodgers, 2012 SKQB 80 (CanLII), per Allbright J	SK	SC	7.5 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Abel, 2012 NLTD 27 (CanLII), per Stack J	NL	SC	7 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Pelkey, 2012 BCSC 815 (CanLII), per Macaulay J	BC	SC	10 years imprisonment	The offender was 29 years old and was mildly handicapped. He beat a man to death while drunk. Find summaries of case.
R v Valente, 2012 ABQB 151 (CanLII), per Ross J	AB	SC	4 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Jamieson, 2012 ONSC 1114 (CanLII), per Ray J	ON	SC	12 years imprisonment	manslaughter by stabbing Find summaries of case.
R v Dingwell, 2012 PESC 13 (CanLII), per Mitchell J	PEI	SC	5.5 years imprisonment	"The offender was found guilty of manslaughter following a trial before a judge. He shot his brother with a handgun after his brother threatened the offender’s son. He intended to shoot and harm the victim, so there was a high degree of moral culpability. A sentence of 5 and a half years was imposed, less 17-months credit for time served." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find summaries of case.
R v Rahman, 2012 NSSC 303 (CanLII), per Cacchione J	NS	SC	6.5 years imprisonment	father hit newborn child multiple times causing death Find summaries of case.
R v Panghali, 2012 BCCA 407 (CanLII), per Frankel JA	BC	CA	"The accused killed his pregnant wife by strangulation and then burned her body on a beach where it was found several days later. The accused was 35 years of age at the time of the offense and a teacher. He had no prior criminal record. 3.5 years for interference with human remains (concurrent to the life sentence for second degree murder)" || Find summaries of case.
R v Seruhungo, 2012 ABCA 54 (CanLII), per curiam	AB	CA		"An argument in a townhouse where the accused returned with a loaded handgun. After pointing the gun at two individuals in the townhouse, the accused pointed the gun at the floor and fired. The bullet went through the floor and struck an innocent bystander in the head, killing him. After initially running the accused turned himself in to the police three days later. Youthful accused who struggled with drugs and the gun culture since the age of 16. Sentence of 12 years for manslaughter, extortion, and firearms offences (concurrent) upheld on appeal." Find summaries of case.
2011
R v Peynado, 2011 BCCA 524 (CanLII), per Neilson JA (2:1)	BC	CA	9 years imprisonment	appeal from 11 years; manslaughter from home invasion robbery. Find summaries of case.
R v Kanate, 2011 ONCJ 770 (CanLII), per DiGiuseppe J	ON	PC	7 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Abraham, 2011 MBQB 299 (CanLII), per McKelvey J	MB	SC	5 years imprisonment	The offender beat the victim and left him dying on the side of the road in winter. Find summaries of case.
R v Melissa Alexander, 2011 ONSC 6839 (CanLII), per Molloy J	ON	SC	11 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Sinclair, 2011 ABQB 652 (CanLII), per Burrows J	AB	SC	5 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Abraham and Starr, 2011 MBQB 299 (CanLII), per McKelvey J	MB	SC	9 years imprisonment	The two offenders beat the victim during a prolonged attack and left him for dead in a shed. They attempted to hide evidence of the event. Both accused had a record for violence. Find summaries of case.
R v Hickey, 2011 NSSC 186 (CanLII), per Cacchione J	NS	SC	3.5 years imprisonment	bar fight, punch results in death Find summaries of case.
R v Roks, 2011 ONCA 618 (CanLII), per Watt JA	ON	CA	10 years imprisonment	planned arson results in death Find summaries of case.
R v Grattan, 2011 BCSC 217 (CanLII), per Grist J	BC	SC	9 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v An, 2011 ABQB 217 (CanLII), per Macleod J	AB	QB	5 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Hussein, 2011 ABQB 601 (CanLII), per Wittmann CJ	AB	SC	6.5 years imprisonment	Find summaries of case.
R v Tippett, 2011 NLTD(G) 119 (CanLII), per Seaborn J	NL	SC	5 years imprisonment	Offender hit infant in the head, killing child with a single blow. Offender denied responsibility. Jury convicted of manslaughter. Find summaries of case.
2010
R v Whitehawk, 2010 SKCA 94 (CanLII), 359 Sask R 105, per Ottenbreit JA	SK	CA	10 years imprisonment	violence upon infant daughter over several days. 26 prior convictions, 7 for violence. Find summaries of case.
R v George, 2010 ONSC 6017 (CanLII), per Pierce J	ON	SC	7 years imprisonment	The offender pleaded guilty to beating victim to death while intoxicated. He hit his friend in the head multiple times until death. He was 20 years old and diagnosed with FASD. "the offender pled guilty to manslaughter on the eve of his trial, having initially been charged with second degree murder. It was determined that after an evening of drinking and partying, the offender and his spouse (victim) left a party to go home. At some point along the way the offender delivered at least 8 to 10 blows upon the victim, choked her and dragged her along the road. She had received massive injuries from this beating, three of which were fatal. ...Mr. George, who at 27 years old was a relatively young man, had previous convictions for assault including against the victim. There were no efforts made by the offender to seek medical assistance for the victim, he minimized his offending and continued to subscribe to the theory that the victim may have been run over by someone. He was sentenced to 11 years custody." Find summaries of case.
R v Sunshine, 2014 BCCA 318 (CanLII), ; [2015] SCCA No 185, per Saunders JA	BC	CA		Find summaries of case.
R v Hennessey, 2010 ABCA 274 (CanLII), per Cote JA	AB	CA	12 years imprisonment and 15 years imprisonment	The two offenders collaborated with another offender who killed 4 RCMP officers Find summaries of case.
R v Wall, 2010 BCSC 972 (CanLII), per J	{{}}			"The accused, a 16-year-old male at time of offence, charged with no previous record of offences, pleaded guilty to and was convicted of manslaughter in the course of a trial on a charge of first‑degree murder. The accused had been threatened by the deceased and his associates on multiple occasions, including death threats from the deceased. He had armed himself for protection, then received another oral death threat from deceased. Acting in the heat of passion caused by the deceased's provocative threats and insults," the accused fired some eight or nine shots into the deceased's van, causing his death. A sentence of 14 years was imposed, reduced by credit for time in pre-trial custody." (Quoting from R v Ward, 2023 NLSC 15) Find summaries of case.
R v Herman, 2010 BCSC 1682 (CanLII), per Verhoeven J	BC	SC		Find other summaries.
R v Wright, 2010 NSCA 30 (CanLII), per Bateman JA	NS	CA	15 years imprisonment	"The offender was involved in a street fight involving numerous, heavily intoxicated persons. The offender was being kicked and punched. At one point, he grabbed a pen knife and began widely swinging the weapon. He stabbed the victim 4 times, once in the heart causing the victim’s death. The offender’s record included an assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and aggravated assault (paragraph 10 of the underlying decision at 2009 NSSC 192); and the trial judge was troubled by the offender’s failure to connect his prior criminal record and the need for anger management. This decision was primarily related to the judge’s failure to accept a joint recommendation for 15 years imprisonment less time served for a total of 10 years. Instead, the judge only deducted 4 years from the sentence." (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.
R v Docherty, 2010 ONSC 3603 (CanLII), per J	ON	SC	12 years imprisonment	"The victim was a loan shark to whom the offender owed money. The trial judge determined that the jury must have found the offender stabbed the victim in the heat of passion 7 or more times, after victim grabbed the offender’s shirt and threatened him. The mitigating factors included the offender’s lack of criminal record; the offender’s fear at the time of the offence; and the fact that the offender turned himself in. Aggravating factors included the failure to properly deal with his increasingly desperate relationship with loan sharks; failure to extricate himself from the situation; excessive force including multiple wounds and, ultimately, watching the victim, without seeking help. (see paragraphs 35 – 36) The trial judge sentenced the offender to 12 years in prison." (Quoting from R v Rhyno, 2023 NSSC 9) Find summaries of case.

See Pre-2010

• Manslaughter (Sentencing Cases) (pre-2010)

See Also

• Young Offenders (Sentencing Cases)
• Murder (Sentencing Cases)
• Use of Firearm in Commission of an Offence (Sentencing Cases)