Lonechild Given 5 Years For Sproat Killing

Lonechild Given 5 Years For Sproat Killing

Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 16:00

 

 

A Saskatoon man who earlier this year pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of teenager Justin Sproat has been handed a five-year prison sentence.

 

In this morning’s sentencing hearing in Saskatoon, Justice Neil Gabrielson actually sentenced Bailey Lonechild to six years in prison — but gave him credit for one year for the time he spent in remand and under electronic monitoring.

 

The Crown had been asking for seven years, while the defence wanted a sentence of two years less a day.

 

However, Lonechild’s lawyer is indicating he is not planning to appeal, even though he expressed concern for Lonechild’s safety this morning — because he was reportedly accosted twice over the weekend while in jail.

 

Neither the Sproats nor the Crown are happy with the sentence.

 

The Crown says its head office will review the case — possibly resulting in an appeal.

 

Sproat died of a single stab wound at a Saskatoon house party in 2005.

 

Sproat was beating up Lonechild over a ball cap and Lonechild stabbed him.

 

Lonechild’s grandmother was in tears when she left the courthouse.

 

Rose Shesheep says she hopes the victim’s family is satisfied, adding she says they need to understand she is in pain, too.