Young teen who killed homeless man may be sent to group home

A Calgary teen who helped kill a homeless man cried and hugged his father during his sentencing hearing today, before finding out he could be allowed to spend the rest of his sentence in a group home.

Earlierin the day, anolder teen was foundguiltyof manslaughterfor killingGabrielOkeynan, a 45-year-old man who was homeless when he was killedin June2014.

• OTHER CRIME NEWS |Livia Starlight, accused of murdering her toddler, granted bail
• OTHER CRIME NEWS |Calgary police investigate possible drive-by shooting

The younger teen had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Hissentencing hearing Monday was delayed so the boy's father could be brought from the Calgary Remand Centre, where he's being held ondrug-related charges.

The boy, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal JusticeAct,broke down crying when hisfather was brought into the prisoners box and hugged him.

The two sat shoulder to shoulder while the lawyers made their submissions.

Okeynanwas robbed and beaten as well as stabbednearMarlboroughMall in June2014.

His uncle read a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing.

"You guys have each other but I don't have my nephew," saidDerwinOkeynan. "We grieve a lot. We suffer a lot."

Teen needs 'structure and support,' Crown says

Theprosecutionproposed the maximum sentence for a youth convicted of manslaughterthree years in custody,a community supervision order, or a combination of the two.

With the time he's already served at the Calgary Young Offenders Centre, the teenwould spend another nine months in open custody, which means he wouldlive in a grouphome.

"The young person is in need of structure and support," said Crown prosecutor Darren Maloney.

Defence lawyerWill Willieralso said the teenshould not spend any more time in custody but refused to clarify hisposition.

To be sentenced Monday

Justice Scott Brookerwill decide on a sentence next Monday.

Two boys, who were 13 and 16yearsold at the time, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death.

The older teen who was found guilty of manslaughter on Monday will have asentencing hearingin the coming months after psychiatric reports are completed.